Bernard Edwards

Bernard Edwards (born February 24, 1969) is an American former professional football player who played eight seasons in the Arena Football League (AFL) with the Miami Hooters/Florida Bobcats and Tampa Bay Storm. He was a wide receiver and quarterback at Fort Myers High School in Fort Myers, Florida. He played college football at Ohio State University, and was the team's leading receiver his senior year in 1991. Edwards signed with the Phoenix Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) in 1992 after going undrafted, but was released before the start of the season. He then played in the AFL from 1994 to 2001, spending his first two seasons as an offensive specialist before converting to wide receiver/linebacker. In 1994, he set a since-broken AFL record for receiving touchdowns in a game with six. He was named first-team All-Arena in 1995 while playing for the Miami Hooters. In October 1999, Edwards was ranked 39th on The News-Press Southwest Florida all-sports all-millennium team. He was later the head coach of the Fort Myers Tarpons of the National Indoor Football League in 2007.

Early life Bernard Edwards was born on February 24, 1969, in Fort Myers, Florida. In football, he caught 42 passes for 549 yards and six touchdowns as a wide receiver his junior year in 1985. He scored three touchdowns at quarterback during his final high school game. Edwards also garnered second-team all-state recognition in basketball, and scored a career-high 42 points in a game his senior year. Edwards appeared in eight games (no starts) in 1989, catching 10 passes for 130 yards and one touchdown. Edwards became a regular starter his senior year in 1991, appearing in 12 games (10 starts) while catching 25 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns. He played in 43 games total, starting 11, during his college career.

Phoenix Cardinals Edwards signed with the Phoenix Cardinals after going undrafted. At minicamp in May 1992, Edwards was noted for a leaping catch over Cardinals starting cornerback Lorenzo Lynch. Edwards was released by the Cardinals on August 18, 1992.

Baseball In November 1992, despite not having played baseball since high school, Edwards signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners to play baseball during the 1993 season. The AFL played under ironman rules, meaning players played both offense and defense. However, AFL teams were also allowed one offensive specialist and one defensive specialist whom only played one side (besides the quarterback). Edwards was an offensive specialist during his time with the Hooters. On July 15, 1994, he had an AFL single-game record six receiving touchdowns in a 66–52 victory over the Arizona Rattlers. Overall, he played in 11 games for the Hooters during the 1994 season, catching 69 passes for 842 yards and 13 touchdowns as the team finished 5–7. Edwards appeared in all 12 games for Miami in 1995, recording 86 receptions for 1,124 yards and 19 touchdowns. Despite his strong season, the Hooters finished the year with a 1–11 record.

At a press conference on December 9, 1995, it was announced that the Hooters would be moving to West Palm Beach, Florida, to become the Florida Bobcats. Edwards unveiled the team's new uniforms at the press conference.

On June 10, 1997, he had a career-high 11 receptions for 137 yards and four touchdowns in a 44–40 victory over the New York CityHawks. He appeared in all 14 games in 1997, recording 73 receptions for 920 yards and 15 touchdowns, 13 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups. On May 23, 1998, the winless Bobcats (0–4) faced the undefeated (4–0) defending-ArenaBowl champion Tampa Bay Storm. With six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and the score tied at 54, Edwards made a one-handed six-yard touchdown catch to help the Bobcats win 61–54. Overall in the game, Edwards caught eight passes for 89 yards and four touchdowns, earning AFL Player of the Week honors. Edwards played in 13 games in 1998, totaling 58 receptions for 685 yards and 16 touchdowns, seven solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, and two interceptions.

Tampa Bay Storm On October 31, 2000, Edwards signed with the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL. In the 2001 season-opener against his former team, the Florida Bobcats, Edwards had three touchdown catches and a career-high 12 tackles, earning Ironman of the Game honors. Edwards retired from the AFL after the 2001 season.

Personal life On January 29, 1995, Edwards appeared as an extra, playing quarterback and receiver, in a McDonald's commercial aired during Super Bowl XXIX.

Edwards was a law teacher, basketball coach, and track coach at Cypress Lake High School from 1998 to 2000. He missed the first few games of the AFL season each year due to his teaching career. His son, Bernard Edwards Jr., played college basketball at Jacksonville and Nova Southeastern.

Coaching career Edwards was the receivers coach for the Florida Firecats of the af2 in 2002.

Edwards was the head coach of the Fort Myers Tarpons of the National Indoor Football League in 2007. Edwards was the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator of the Florida Stingrays of the American Indoor Football Association in 2008.