National Semi~Pro Football League LEAGUE NEW

TIFTON — The Georgia Firebirds, Tifton’s semi-professional football team, hope to get their players either college scholarships or professional football contracts.

Antonio Edwards is a man that has done both.

After finishing his career at Colquitt County High School, Edwards played college football at Valdosta State University, setting a record for sacks in one season with 14, during his career. He then went on to play professional football for seven years, including a stint with the Atlanta Falcons that saw the team go to its’ only Super Bowl in 1998.

For his work on the gridiron, Edwards is a member of the Valdosta State Athletic Hall of Fame, as well as the Colquitt County Sports Hall of Fame.

He is now hoping to use the knowledge he has garnered on the football field as the new head coach of the Firebirds.

Edwards began working with the team this week, and his hiring was announced by team owner Darrien Teals Tuesday.

“We are very excited to have someone like Antonio Edwards come to Tifton to become our new head coach,” Teals said. “He has excelled at every level of football, and he will be able to pass his vast knowledge of the game onto our players.

“Our players dream big, and Coach Edwards is someone that can teach them their dreams can come true.”

Edwards learned about the Firebirds from one of the team’s players.

“He asked me would I be interested in coming to play with them,” said Edwards. “He told me about the team and that a man named Darrien Teals owned it.

“I got to thinking I remember that name and then I remembered we had been teammates at Valdosta State. Darrien’s senior year was my redshirt freshman year.”

Edwards played for Seattle, the New York Giants, the Falcons and the Carolina Panthers during his NFL career. He also played one season in the XFL.

He had 16 career sacks from his defensive end position, and two fumble recoveries that he returned for touchdowns. One of those came against the Denver Broncos, when he took a John Elway fumble back 83 yards for the score.

His best season was in 1995, when he recorded 5.5 sacks in 13 games for the Seattle Seahawks.

While he chuckled about the thought of returning to the field with the Firebirds, he did want to talk to Teals about coaching.

“I feel like it is a great opportunity for me. Darrien has a first-rate organization and I want to help the kids on the team become better players. I would love to help several of them get a chance to play college ball,” said Edwards.

Still living in Moultrie, Edwards said he is planning on relocating to Tifton soon.

As the team prepares for its’ season opener Feb. 26 at home against Duval (Fla.), Teals wants Firebird fans to get to know Edwards better. The team owner is hosting a “Meet the Coach” event at 2 p.m. today at the Firebirds’ office, located at 201 North Central Ave., Suite H in the Victorian Plaza.

The event will go on from 2-3 p.m. and for more information, call 402-2155.