Edwards played football at Englewood High School in Chicago, where he earned All-City, All-Chicagoland, and All-State honors.

[5] He went on the play two years of semi-professional football, one with the Harlem Brown Bombers, and one with the Patterson Panthers.

[2] Edwards coached the DuSable High School football team for two seasons, including 1944.

[6] He coached basketball at Russellville High School in Kentucky, compiling a 64–11 record and winning a tri-state championship.

[1] Edwards was the 11th head football coach at Kentucky State, and he held that position for six seasons, from 1951 until 1956.