Two days after Braylon Edwards' arrest for driving while intoxicated, Jets owner Woody Johnson spoke strongly against his actions -- and said eliminating drunk driving on his team is his "personal goal."
"We're going to push this as hard as we can push this," Johnson said. "There's no tolerance; there's no tolerance for point-anything alcohol level if you're driving. Zero. I don’t want any drinking and driving."
Johnson said he has spoken with Edwards three or four times after Edwards was pulled over early Tuesday morning and found to have a blood alcohol content of .16, twice the legal limit, according to the criminal complaint.
Johnson said he was "extremely disappointed," particularly since he has arranged for his players to have free, safe rides 24 hours a day under the PlayerProtect service.
"Braylon knows he did something wrong," Johnson said. "He's got to show repentance."
Johnson said Edwards was remorseful in meetings with him. Johnson said he was not embarrassed by the incident, but rather sad, and that he wasn't worried about the image of the organization.
He was pleased with coach Rex Ryan's message to the team Wednesday, pointing out that Ryan did that on his "own instinct," but added that PlayerProtect and zero tolerance for drunk driving need to be hammered home specifically to the players.
Edwards will not start Sunday's game, the team has said, but will dress and play. When he enters the game is up to Ryan. Johnson stood by that decision, saying it follows precedent, and added that Edwards has more penalties coming in the long run.
"He's losing a lot more than that," Johnson said. "He's got a serious ticket in front of him. And if proven guilty, he's got a serious taint on his record. He's going to be a free agent at some point. I would guess if he's convicted, this is not gong to be helpful. He's got a heavy load in front of him."
In response to both this incident, and the league investigation of the Jets' treatment of a TV Azteca reporter at a recent practice, Johnson expressed regret at the events.
"I'm not embarrassed," he said. "Do I wish these hadn't occurred? Yes. It's encouraged us to be more diligent. It's encouraged us to be better."