Julian Edelman is a Patriot for life.
Boston sports heroes are a mold that doesn't have the look and feel of what one in, let's say, Orlando, Florida, does.
Bobby Orr, Larry Bird, Carlton Fisk, and David Ortiz all had a certain grit that seemed unmatched by other greats around the league. There is a loyalty factor, a ruggedness to them, and the feeling that no matter the circumstance, when the game was on the line, you knew they'd deliver. It's traits like that that make New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman still feel like a member of the team even five years after his retirement.
The Patriots' retired wide receiver took to social media this weekend to bring up the anniversary of when he decided to call it a wrap on his career on the field.
Edelman came to Foxborough in a way that many of the greats have before him: overlooked and extremely competitive. Taken 232nd overall in the seventh round out of Kent State in 2009, Edelman nudged his way to the forefront of the Patriots receiving corps after many ahead of him left the team.
It took time, but he would win three Super Bowls and become a franchise staple due to his dependability in the clutch whenever quarterback Tom Brady needed him.
Many could tell that, due to injuries and a changing of the times in New England, it was right for Edelman to hang it up in the spring of 2021 after a dismal 2020 regular season.
The Redwood City, California native capped off a career that saw him with 620 receptions for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns, and he was named Super Bowl LIII MVP. He recorded 10 receptions for 141 yards, with eight of his catches resulting in first downs that night. Edelman became the first wide receiver to win that award since 2009.
Edelman is now in the Patriots Hall of Fame, but one must ask, does he have a future in Canton, Ohio, at the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
Edelman's accomplishments in the regular season undermine his chances, but his postseason legacy keeps that possibility alive. Edelman could thrive in big moments.
1,442 of his nearly 7,000 yards that he racked up over his career came in the postseason. He had 118 receptions, which only puts him behind Jerry Rice and Travis Kelce.
Let's not forget that unreal catch in Super Bowl LI in the late-game rally against the Atlanta Falcons.
Since all of that, Edelman has found a career in sports media as an on-air talent with Fox Sports and has produced a highly successful batch of podcasts. He will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
Lastly, he's a Patriot for life.
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