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Renaissance Man: Appalachian State's Edwards adds artist, student and devoted father to his well-known football exploits
Robert Franklin Photo
Quarterback Armanti Edwards of Appalachian State has rushed for 49 touchdowns, passed for 62 and is the conference’s all-time leader in total offense.
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Published: September 24, 2009
BOONE - On the field, Armanti Edwards goes about the business of being the top quarterback in the NCAA's Football Championship Subdivision in a businesslike fashion. He doesn't talk much, he performs with a hard-nosed intensity and he conveys a sense of confidence to those around him.
Off the field, away from football stardom that seems foreign to an unassuming young man who is living a dream unparalleled in Appalachian State history, Edwards deals with daily life the best he can.
He likes to draw, hang out with friends and pushes himself to stay ahead in school. He plans to graduate in December, completing a degree in graphic arts in three and a half years, a full semester ahead of a normal schedule and with dean's-list honors.
He looks forward to playing with his 2-year-old daughter, who lives with her mother in South Carolina and visits on game days, and to telephone conversations with his father, who is serving time in prison after being convicted of killing a man after an argument in a poker game in 2005.
Edwards deals with challenges, and looks forward to a future that could, he hopes, include a spot on a roster of an NFL team. He has dealt with setbacks from injuries -- shoulder, knee, hip and, most recently, foot from a freak lawn-mowing accident -- and has discounted the label of "undersized quarterback."
At 5-11, and bulked up to 184 pounds from the scrawny left-handed freshman who arrived from Greenwood, S.C., three years ago with no guarantee of even playing quarterback, Edwards has put up big numbers. He is an elusive runner, perfect for the Spread offense, and has gained respect for being an accurate passer. He is the Southern Conference's all-time leader in total offense with 11,090 yards. He has passed for 62 touchdowns and rushed for 49. He has led Appalachian to two of its three FCS national titles, and he is the reigning player of the year in the FCS.
Edwards has most of his senior season left, and has a new challenge of leading his team forward after it lost its first two game. Edwards said that he's as healthy as he's ever been, after surgery in January to repair a slight meniscus tear in his right knee and with a deep cut to his right foot from the lawn-mower accident now healed.
He played well in the Mountaineers' last game, but took a 40-35 loss to McNeese State hard. He did, however, get a lift the next day when his father called. Freddie Edwards got to see his son play a college game for the first time, watching the McNeese game on television from prison in South Carolina.
"It just so happened they got the channel our game was being broadcast on," Armanti Edwards said. "I didn't know it until he was able to call me the next day and tell me. That was exciting, even though we lost. That lifted me up. That was the best feeling of the weekend."
Edwards, part of a big family that includes eight half-brothers and sisters, said that he has loved to draw as long as he can remember. He often does pencil sketches, and has produced posters of his daughter, Langley, as well as a self portrait.
"They are incredible, professional-type," said Tony Robertson, Edwards' friend and teammate.
Edwards' love of art, and life experience, is displayed on his arms. He has tattoos of Jesus, praying hands and a cross. He has one of comedy and tragedy theatrical drama masks. "Laugh now, cry later," Edwards said. "You just live life."
He has another of a guardian angel, stepping on the head of the devil. And a skull. "My dad always called me a hardhead, so I got one of those," Edwards said.
And he has one of a heart and padlock, representing his love for his father and mother, Deborah, who is a nurse. And there is a flower and heart for his little girl, who he often carries in his arms after games when she visits.
"It's rough not being able to see her a lot, but it's awesome when we're able to spend time together," Edwards said.
Edwards spends much of his time in the classroom and doing homework. He has taken summer classes to get ahead of schedule and graduate early, and is taking 17 hours of class work this semester, which will allow him time after the season to find an agent and train for a chance in the NFL. He said that it hasn't been easy, but that he's made himself do it.
"Not too many people know this, but I'm kind of lazy," Edwards said. "I'd sit around and play video games and cards if I let myself. I'm afraid if I had taken an easier load I wouldn't have finished. I figured I might as well get it done."
Edwards has handled the pressure that comes with being a gifted player, accepted the role of leader on a team expected to win and dealt with constant attention of being a college-football star.
"You have no choice but to soak it in, because everybody is always bringing it up, but I try to stay humble," Edwards said. "I always think about what Coach (Jerry) Moore said. He made a good point, that if you're not getting any attention you're not playing real good."
Moore said he's been impressed with Edwards from the start.
"Let me tell you something, that guy is a great person, a great kid," Moore said. "He's fixing to graduate in three and a half years, he's overcome some personal things that have been tough, and he's undergone more pressure than maybe any football player that's ever played here at Appalachian State, and he's handled it all extremely well."
Teammates said that Edwards manages two lifestyles.
"Back at home, he's laid back, he jokes around, he's funny," Robertson said. "On the field, he's serious. He's all business. No talking. You can see it in his eyes, how serious he is."
Brian Quick, who rooms with Edwards, said: "He's quiet by nature, but he's more outgoing than people think. He loves being around his daughter and talking to his family. We don't really talk about football that much."
tbowman@wsjournal.com
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