Mike Edwards recounts how he lost his brother to sickle cell on his last visit to Nigeria

Mike Edwards recounts how he lost his brother to sickle cell on his last visit to Nigeria Mike Edwards explains why he had a cigar in his...

Mike Edwards explains why he had a cigar in his mouth at British event.

Mike Edwards has been selected to represent Nigeria at the Commonwealth games. He will representing in the high jump event which will take place in Australia. This makes him Nigeria’s first male high jumper in over 50 plus years.

He made this known via his Instagram page where he also spoke of how he lost his older brother who died at the age of 10 due to sickle cell.

”My last trip to Nigeria was devastating…
I lost my older brother when he was 10, from a sickle cell crisis battle… Today, I’m proud to announce a new chapter for my family. I’ve officially been selected to represent Team Nigeria at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia 🇦🇺 Nigeria’s First Male High Jumper at the Commonwealth Games in 50+ YEARS!!! No words can describe how I feel right now, but I hope my brother is proud. 🇳🇬 #blackhistorymonth”.

Edwards was born in the UK, raised in Florida and has a Jamaican father and a Nigerian Mother. He recently received a backlash after he walked the podium at a sporting event with a cigar in his mouth. The athlete had the below explanation to give.

”(OPEN LETTER TO GENERAL PUBLIC)

I received some backlash from my Cigar on the podium at the British Championships last weekend. Well here’s my response: 👇🏾 Most athletes have Nike or Adidas sponsors. I have my Cigars❗
Whilst many might be quick to judge on the topic of an athlete associated with smoking, my cigars actually help solve a serious problem on the Water Crises – For example every AIREYYS cigar sold, provides a person in need clean drinking water for an entire year in developing nations… Now if anybody else has a problem, think deeper before you try to check me”.

Sincerely,

The People’s Champ”

mike edwards