Citronelle quarterback Daylon Edmunds was suspended from the team and school for his involvement in a fight between his father and a teammate’s father last Friday night. The two men have apologized and want Daylon Edmunds to be reinstated. (Bonita Roberts/Call News)
Staff Report
The fathers of two Citronelle football players who were involved in a fight after last Friday’s game against UMS-Wright have apologized for their actions and apparently made peace with each other.
Chris Edmunds, the father of quarterback Daylon Edmunds, and Stephan Byrd, the father of receiver Sye Byrd, issued public apologies on Facebook Tuesday night.
Citronelle police chief Chris McLean said Monday he swore out arrest warrants on Chris Edmunds and Stephan Byrd on disorderly conduct charges. Daylon Edmunds, who charged into the bleachers and struck Stephan Byrd, was suspended from the team and school but Byrd said he would not press charges.
“We all make mistakes and I have made my share,” Byrd said on Facebook. “I accept the apology and in return apologize for putting our kids and friends in a difficult situation. I am embarrassed no matter the reasoning as a adult I know better. Hopefully we all learned a lesson.”
Byrd said he feels Daylon Edmunds should be allowed to play and he might have done the same thing in defense of his father.
“As for Daylon Edmunds, I can’t say that I would not have done the same thing if the tables were turned,” Byrd said. “I look at you and only can imagine if this was Sye in your situation, so you and your family can rest easy. I won’t be filing charges on you sir … From now on, let adults handle adult situations.”
Byrd finished his post by writing: “LET HIM PLAY.”
Chris Edmunds, a former police chief in Millry, also apologized.
“On the behalf of myself and Daylon Edmunds we would like to first apologize to the players (teammates) and coaches for our actions!” Chris Edmunds said. “Second we would like to apologize to the Wildcat Nation fans base! Third, we would like to apologize to Citronelle High School student body and staff! We also want to apologize to the entire administration of Citronelle and Mobile County Public School System. We accept our consequence for our actions! Even if we feel like it’s not fair, our actions wasn’t also! Last, we would like to apologize to Mr. Stephen Byrd.”
McLean said one of the fathers apparently accused the other of saying something about his son, starting an argument that became heated.
Citronelle hosts B.C. Rain Friday at 7 p.m. and increased police presence is expected. The Wildcats (5-2, 2-2) are in position to claim one of four playoff berths from 5A Region 1.
