There are NFL stories… and then there are the kinds of stories that make you wonder if the player who told it has a death wish. Because when your tale casually involves Jerry Rice, the GOAT of wide receivers, you’d better know what you’re doing. And yet, here comes Julian Edelman, grabbing a mic and casually dropping a story only a very brave (or mildly reckless) man would say in public. Let’s just pray Jerry isn’t the type to hold grudges… or check podcasts.

Growing up in the Bay Area, Edelman idolized Jerry Rice. Maybe a little too much. So much so that he somehow ended up dating his daughter, Jacqui, in high school. That fact alone would’ve made Jerry’s face turn red. But no, Edelman just had to pop up on the New Heights podcast and make some peculiar admissions. If Jerry wasn’t mad before, he sure will be now.

“She took me to her prom. And I did wear his Super Bowl rings… I used to go into his office all the time; he was never home… playing with balls, jerseys, Super Bowl balls. It was crazy. Jerry Rice, bro… he was a f—— legend,” he said. That was a bold step. Imagine you’re a teenager dating Jerry Rice’s daughter. She invites you over to her house, and instead of playing it cool, you start trying on his Super Bowl rings like they’re free samples at Costco. But let’s be honest, we’d all probably do the same thing if we could.

And Jerry did have an idea about all of this. But Edelman just confirmed all the doubts. On All Facts No Brakes, Rice later joked that he always kept his rings locked up… unless his daughter had the combo. Which, of course, she did. So yeah, Edelman pulling off the most casual Super Bowl heist in teenage history? Both reckless and iconic.

And what makes all of this even more iconic? The fact that Edelman literally worshipped the guy. He literally trained on “Jerry Rice Hill,” the local proving ground where dreams (and hamstrings) went to die. Edelman used to study his every move, down to the old-school grind and no-nonsense work ethic. So for teen Julian to sneak a Super Bowl ring off Jerry’s shelf? That’s legendary.

Edelman’s Canton hopes are plummeting

Edelman’s oddball prom legend may grab your attention, but Edelman’s out there, grabbing Canton’s attention. The guy who turned from a seventh-round QB-to-WR convert into a three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP.

The Patriots Hall of Fame has already made their case. No debates, no waiting room. Just straight into franchise royalty as the 37th inductee. And honestly, the numbers back it up: second in team history in catches (620), fourth in yards (6,822), and oh yeah, that small matter of winning Super Bowl LIII MVP while setting an NFL record for postseason receptions. Yeah, how could he not have gotten in?

Now, the Pro Football Hall of Fame? That’s where the real barstool debates kick off. The critics point to Edelman’s regular-season resume. 36 touchdowns and 6,822 yards, which lands him way down at 156th on the all-time list. Not exactly Canton-calibre on paper. But the supporters counter-attack.

They point straight to the playoffs. We’re talking 118 postseason catches for 1,442 yards over 19 games. That’s second only to Jerry Rice and Travis Kelce in the history of the league. Yeah, the supporters have a much better case. Analysts and even teammates like Pat McAfee are loud and clear on this: Edelman deserves a real shot at Canton. The man wasn’t just a wide receiver; he was a Swiss Army knife in cleats. Need a punt return? Done. Emergency cornerback? He’s got you.

Reliable slot target on 3rd and forever? Just look for No. 11. Add in his contributions in multiple Super Bowl runs, and you’d know why it makes sense. Edelman is officially eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, and somehow, his name is floating in conversations that also include guys like Calvin Johnson and Tony Gonzalez. Safe to say, the man more than deserves the golden jacket.