Have you heard of Terrence Edwards? Yeah, the guy who held the SEC record for career-high receiving yards for over a decade. However, that didn’t work out for his NFL career the way he had expected. Though Edwards is not a familiar name on the gridiron, it’s the NFL that made him a legend in one way or another. Just one season with the Atlanta Falcons roster, Edwards made a lifetime memory with the late head coach Dan Reeves.

This 3rd January, Edwards appeared on The BTM Podcast, and shared his journey from being a SEC legend to becoming an undrafted free agent for the Atlanta team. A path that eventually led him to the Canadian Football League. Interestingly, on his very first day with the roster, he almost got fired. But then head coach Reevesgave him an important lesson instead of firing him.

Edwards shared the lessons that he learned from football. Many of which he now shares with his kids. One of the best lessons he learnt was being on time. Something he learned on his very first day with the Falcons. “Undrafted free agent, I didn’t have a big sign of bonus but as a rookie, I got to go get the chicken for the plane,” Edwards recalled his first day when he was asked to bring a bucket of chicken before the team left.

And being new in Atlanta, Edwards didn’t know a shortcut through the airport. But as the rookie, he had to make it work. “I’m telling you I’m flying down 85 going to the airport in my suit,” he continued his story. “My air is blasting, I’m sweating ball and I’m sweating. I’m like I’m flying through.” Luckily, the wide receiver reached the bus on time. Any guesses who was waiting for him there? Yep! Coach Reeves.

Thankfully, the head coach let him off the hook, but not without a warning. “But god rested Dan Reeves. He did not fire me. I guess he had a soft spot for an undrafted free agent,” Edwards said, recalling the day when Dan Reeves caught him being late. “He’s from Georgia, so I guess he took care of Georgia’s boy. So I hate being late. That’s one of the things that this game taught me.” And that lesson paid off, especially considering his successful CFL career despite being undrafted in the NFL.

Terrence Edwards recalls his disappointment after being undrafted

Just like his brother Robert, Terrence Edwards also played college football at the University of Georgia. He recorded over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for Georgia. However, the wide receiver was unable to catch the eyes of NFL scouts. He went undrafted after seven rounds of the 2003 NFL draft, but the Atlanta Falcons signed him as an undrafted free agent later.

“You know there’s not 30 receivers better than me,” Terrence said. “So that was a really disappointing time in my life, but that didn’t define me as an undrafted.” After a disappointing rookie season, Edwards suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for the next preseason. That was ultimately the end of his NFL career.

After retiring from the pro football, Terrence is now dedicated to helping young wide receivers reach their full potential. Terrence Edwards is now the CEO of TE’s Wide Receiver Academy and the head coach at the Mount Vernon College. He’s focused on shaping the next generation of the NFL talent. “I think God put me on a path that we’re going to take you another path so now you can give back to these kids,” he said.