The Big F-ing Mike Edwards Interview: Nicknames, First Team Minutes, and Stoic Gratitude

EDITORIAL – Michael Edwards goes to ground to intercept a through ball as St. Louis CITY looks to counter attack. He wins the ball and clears his line for a harmless throw in. He puts his hands in the air and yells. The crowd feeds off of him in that moment. In his first MLS start, Mike Edwards is bossing the game. Colorado Rapids went on to win 4-1.

“Tonight meant a lot. When maybe I didn’t believe in myself, everyone has kept me confident and kept me driven. Armas has told me ‘stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.’ I just give it all I got. Tonight was awesome. When I made THAT tackle, I felt the energy from the crowd. Come on, let’s go, I’m here,” Edwards said after that July 7 match.

“It’s an honor to be a part of this team. These are my brothers. It’s family. Everyday I’m just so blessed to be a part of it.”

The 24-year-old went on to score his first MLS goal in his first road start later this season. While Edwards made just four league appearances in 2024, he made an impressive first impression to many in the Rapids fanbase. Edwards and the club are currently negotiating a new contract as his 2025 team option was declined.

The center back is looking for an advanced role on an MLS team next season. It’s worth noting he had to wait for this and earn it. He joined the club before the 2021 season. He spent a year on loan and Colorado Springs Switchbacks then two years playing regularly for Rapids 2. Even busted his hand celebrating a goal in the MLS NEXT Pro Playoffs. So metal.

Support from others, years in the making:

Finally in his fourth year in Commerce City, he got some chances. This comes after he spent a year with VfL Wolfsburg II. Before that, he was in the D.C. United academy. Edwards had to wait and earn his chance at first team football. The reserved, almost shy, big man is stoic gratitude personified:

“When I look back on it, 3-4 years ago, maybe I wasn’t ready. Maybe the timing (here in Colorado) was perfect. Everything happens for a reason. You have to accept it. It only makes you stronger. My time in Germany, I was still out of control with my mind. I’ve come a long way on the field and off the field.”

Edwards credits Chris Armas, President Pádraig Smith, and his teammates for believing in him so he could believe in himself. Rapids 2 manager Erik Bushey was a positive influence on him as well.

“Those guys have been so confident in me. They’ve been saying, ‘your time is coming. Just keep going. Embrace it.’ When I get my chance, make the most of my opportunity. Embrace the roll I have here right now and not take any day for granted.

“Armas and Bushey have played a big role. Sometimes I would lose control or get emotional. Being able to control your emotions, everything’s so much cleaner. Your thinking is cleaner. Your emotions dictate the outcome of your performance. When you control them for the better, you play better.”

Veteran center back Andreas Maxsø has been a good role model and parter for Edwards along the back four. The Dane recognizes the journey Edwards has been on.

“Getting his first minutes and being ready. It’s not easy waiting years. When you get the chance you have to grab it. Mentally, he’s better,” Maxsø said to Burgundy Wave.

God and gratitude:

“I like to say I’m a Christian in the making. Still learning. Still growing. Gaining more faith each day. Building my relationship with God each day.”

Edwards is nervous interviewee, but he’s become more open in talking about his faith. He’s been reinvigorated with his religion as a young adult. Throw in his maturity, emotional control, and a good support system, he’s becoming the best version of himself on and off the pitch.

“This is the journey that I’m on and the journey God has set me to be on. I accept it. The ups and the downs. It’s who I am. God’s timing is perfect.”

Before that July 7 game, he took Darren Yapi to church that morning. Even told Yapi “come to church and you’re going to score today.” Yapi scored the final goal of the night. Other teammates have come along since, including Kamani Stewart-Baynes, Jackson Travis, and Wayne Frederick.

Opening his MLS account with a left-footed backheel:

Edwards scored his first MLS goal at Sporting KC in September. It was a garbage time goal in a 4-1 loss. The player admitted he holds himself to a higher standard and the performance wasn’t good enough individually or as a team.

That said, how many center backs have scored their first professional goal by an off-foot backheel on a broken set piece?

“It’s exactly as we drew it up,” Edwards said sarcastically. He and set piece coach Chris Sharpe joked this play is in the corner playbook now.

“I saw the ball coming. Put my body in front of the goalkeeper. Just did a backheel. Left foot. Do something. Make the ball go in the net. Not much thinking there.”

Edwards has scored some good goals in training, albeit mostly with his head. In two years in training, he had never even tried a backheel. It was an impressive finish. It was the only goal scored by a center back this year other than Moïse Bombito.

So about the Big F-ing nickname:

“Mikey” became more popular with supporters towards the end of the season given what he did in his few appearances. Rapids fan and meme lord Judgmental Jim even gave him the nickname “Big F-ing Mike Edwards.” Burgundy Wave doesn’t like giving or using player nicknames without getting their take on said nickname first.

“I like it. I don’t mind it. It’s a nickname the fans gave to me. It’s my job to live up to it,” Edwards said having seen Jim’s posts on Twitter/X.

He does generally prefer to be called Michael but doesn’t mind Mike. Most teammates and coaches call him Mikey. Growing up, family members called him Midget.

Hopefully Michael/Mike/Mikey/Midget/Big F-ing re-signs with the Rapids as can challenge to start and ball out in 2025. His story’s not yet finished.

Photo Credit: Mark Shaiken

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. Support us via our Patreon starting at $5/month. We’re always looking for new talent. Let us know if you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer.