Former NFL WR Braylon Edwards Saves Elderly Man's Life After He Was Attacked At YMCA

Former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards became a hero Friday when he rescued an 80-year-old man who was being attacked at a YMCA.

Edwards was at the facility in Farmington Hills, Mich., when he heard some commotion inside the locker room.

"I walk into the locker room after work, and basically, I hear about four rows behind me arguing about music and how it was being played too loud," he told Local 4 WDIV Detroit. "So I’m not paying attention, and I was just minding my business.

"The noise escalates, and then you can hear some pushing and shoving, so you know what fighting sounds like. But once I hear a thud, that’s when I got up and turned around."

That's when he saw a 25-year-old man assaulting the elderly man. Edwards quickly intervened.

"I see the guy — for what I was thinking — was reaching for a phone underneath the victim, grabs the back of the victim’s head by the hair, and he was about to slam it down on the counter. I grabbed him, subdued him," Edwards said.

After police arrived at the scene, officers told Edwards his heroic actions likely saved the man's life.

"I didn’t know it was that serious," Edwards said. "I mean, the victim probably had a serious concussion by nature. But it wasn’t until I talked to detective Jacobs down in Farmington who told me that if I didn’t step in [he could have died]. But at the end of the day, that’s what you do."

The 25-year-old assailant initially fled the scene, but he has since been arrested and remains in custody.

(Getty Images)

Braylon Edwards was a four-year standout at Michigan, who still holds the all-time receiving record at the university. The now 41-year-old hauled in 252 receptions for 3,541 yards and 39 touchdowns for the Wolverines, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award in 2004.

The Cleveland Browns selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Edwards earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2007, catching 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also spent time with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.