Attorney John Berlew said his client had been unable to meet his required child support payments as he is currently unemployed and the payments were based on his former NFL salary, The Cincinnati Enquirer said.

Burlew said Edwards, who was ordered to make monthly payments of $1,589, was actively searching for work.

In addition to pleading guilty to misdemeanor non-support, Edwards paid $3,000 of the estimated $47,188 he allegedly owes in back child support payments.

The payments stem from a child that Edwards, 40, fathered in 2003 when he was still playing in the NFL.

The Enquirer said the former standout defensive player at Michigan State University was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1991. After winning two Super Bowls with the Cowboys, Edwards played for the Minnesota Vikings until 1998 and was waived by the Miami Dolphins in 1999 after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.