Arrest made in attack on elderly man
Ex-NFL star Braylon Edwards on intervening in YMCA attack
Former NFL wide receiver Braylon Edwards appears on OutKick's "Don't @ Me with Dan Dakich" to talk about his heroic efforts.
Braylon Edwards, the former NFL star wide receiver who was hailed as a hero for intervening as an elderly man was attacked at a Michigan YMCA this month, said Monday he wanted to act instead of just recording a video for social media.
Edwards appeared on OutKick’s "Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich" and explained he wanted to do something other than take a video of the incident.
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Braylon Edwards of the New York Jets is shown during a game against the Buffalo Bills, Dec. 30, 2012, in Orchard Park, New York. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
"We live in this era now where everybody’s recording, everybody’s watching the situation take place, and it really gets on my nerves. … So, to get to be in that situation where I had the chance to act and [that] I could be [doing] exactly what I said I want other people to do, I think that also played into it," he told Dakich.
"The people that watch are a lot of [times] worse than the people that [are] actually doing whatever action it is because you have an obligation or chance to help a situation maybe not even be as bad of a situation as it turns into. … Given the opportunity, I wasn’t going to watch."
Braylon Edwards of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines during a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park in San Francisco on Sept. 11, 2011. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Malik Ali Smith, 20, was charged with assault with intent to murder in the melee involving an 80-year-old man, according to arrest records.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted, Fox 2 Detroit reported.
Smith allegedly fled the YMCA, but police arrested him nearby. They made note of the Good Samaritan in Edwards.
Malik Ali Smith was charged in an assault at a Michigan YMCA. (Oakland County Sheriff's Office)
"This was a vicious, senseless attack," Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald said last week, per Fox 2 Detroit. "I commend the witness who intervened, and we will seek justice for this victim."
Fox News’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.
Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
