Ed graduated from Deshler High School where he played football, basketball, baseball and track for the Tigers. He was the first Deshler Athlete to letter in all four sports in the same year. He was first team All-TVC and All-Area in football, basketball and baseball. At 6'4" the Birmingham News reported that he was the tallest running back in the south. Following high school he received a football scholarship to Mississippi State University. As a member of the Bulldog football squad, he lettered three years playing both offense and defense. He also was a member of the Mississippi State basketball team playing on the freshman team and two years on the varsity. After graduation from college he played semi-pro football for the Huntsville Rockets and Alabama Hawks.