Earl Edwards attended Wichita State University on a football scholarship, where he was an All American candidate, left Wichita to play in the Canadian Football league for the Edmonton Eskimos. In 1969 the San Francisco 49ers acquired him for 11 players. He would go on to play for other teams Including the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Greenbag Packers, playing in the NFL from 1969-1980.

He went on to coach at UNLV for 3 years before returning to Arizona State University to complete his degree in sports psychology, subsequently becoming the sports psychologist working with the ASU football team under Coach John Cooper.

He went on to become the Player Program Coordinator for the Arizona Cardinals. He also worked in athletic ministry for Athletes International Ministries and Meadowlark Lemons ministry. He consulted with "Kids For Tomorrow" working as a counselor, and then as a substitute teacher.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years Janice Edwards and father to Reginald (Tracy) Edwards (deceased 2020), four children, and five grandchildren.

The funeral memorial service was held on June 8, 2024.