The new year started off with a sour surprise for the Jets’ Braylon Edwards. As he dined with friends at Philippe on East 60th and prepared to ring in 2010, the shocked wide receiver was served with child support papers by a lawyer for “America’s Top Model” finalist Nik Pace.
A source told Page Six: “Lauren Mallin, an associate for Raoul Felder‘s firm, was by chance at dinner at Philippe. She saw Edwards, and ran back to the office and picked up the papers to serve him.”
Edwards wants the child-support case to be heard in Georgia, where Pace gave birth to Braylon Jr. in late August. Mallon served the NFLer at Philippe because Pace wants the case heard in New York, where she believes she could possibly get a bigger settlement of up to $70,000 a month. Edwards makes about $5 million a year.
“Mr. Edwards will file the appeal in Georgia within 48 hours, and we expect the case to ultimately be heard there. Braylon continues to support and love his child,” said Edwards’ lawyer, Jonathan Wolfe.
The off-the-field drama might have left Edwards rattled on Sunday. After boldly guaranteeing victory over the Cincinnati Bengals — “We won’t lose this game,” Edwards pledged. “We want it too bad” — the Jets indeed crushed the Bengals 37-0 to set up this weekend’s rematch in the playoffs. But Edwards only had two catches for 15 yards in the blowout.
Page Six first reported last month that Pace, 25, had given birth, and that Edwards had affirmed he was the father.
Edwards has been sending child support payments to Pace, but she’s declined to cash them, pending a court order setting a legal amount. “He wants to be part of the child’s life,” a source close to Edwards said.