“By any measure of what constitutes an elite NFL career — wins, championships, production — Julian has it all,” there’s nothing else Bill Belichick could have said about Julian Edelman, his ace receiver for almost a decade. But there’s one thing permanent for everything you start, an end will also come. And in the ultra-competitive, hyper active arena of football, injuries often become the reason. Yet, the former Patriots receiver was prepared when his day arrived. Edelman missed the 2017 season because of an ACL injury when the Pats lost to Eagles by 33-41. In 2020, he again injured his knee and underwent knee surgery but missed 10 games.

The competition and preparedness in the Patriots camp was so heavy that the WR was never sure of his spot in the lineup. His father, Frank Edelman, a mechanic, saw him become this famous player, reaching pinnacles of football fanaticism. But he was also concerned. During the May 7 episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Julian Edelman revealed, “So I never really called my dad and told him, ‘Hey Dad, I made the team.’ I said ‘Dad I’m still I’m still around right now. Okay, so I’ll let you know if I call you the next time, it’s probably because I’m coming home’.”

Still everyone hoped that he will comeback. But he was in Austin, Texas, when he decided to retire. The receiver also revealed his father’s role as the man who gave him permission to retire. The knee injury made it hard for him to return, and he had played enough football. Julian Edelman added, “So I called my dad, and it was, I needed to have his validation that it was okay.”

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After everything was said and done, he released the iconic video of sitting on a chair in an empty stadium. But a 2021 interview of his father gave a sneak peek into his toughness, which almost seemed impossible. While acknowledging his son’s greatness, Frank said, “He’s an Edelman, and that’s kind of what we did when we were playing Pop Warner and high school: We worked hard at practice. Just full-on.” That’s right! The receiver even shifted to California to practice with the GOAT Tom Brady in the off-season.

Edelman sr. understood that football takes a toll on the body. It happened with his son as well. While describing the scenario in which he retired, the father said, “I was happy that it was over. It was enough. He’s been hit a lot.” Moreover, what else he could have won? He already had 3 Super Bowls with a Super Bowl MVP in his kitty. His all-in efforts culminated in his entry into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Julian Edelman reveals his feelings on HoF selection

His greatness was such that even the owner, Robert Kraft, said, “Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history.” The fans voted him into the Patriots Hall of Fame that welcomed the GOAT last year. While talking about his induction, the receiver got emotional.

He said on The Herd show, “Growing up around a team like that, and being associated with legends from the San Francisco 49ers to Hall of Famers like Tom Brady, Ben Coates, Kevin Faulk, and Mike Vrabel—it’s an absolute honor.” It’s truly unbelievable the long journey he has covered.

The WR even dived deep into the rookie days and revealed how he stood late every night and stared at his helmet in the blue lockers (for the rookies). With a strong desire to earn his locker (and a playful wish of free Gatorades and shakes), he worked hard and achieved everything in his life. “I’d just sit there, looking at my helmet, thinking, ‘Man, I’m really on this team.’ It was surreal,” Julian Edelman admitted.

Just the 37th person to enter the Patriots Hall of Fame, he is also the 10th athlete with 3 Super Bowls. This completes a great chapter of his life. His father was also on cloud nine as he told him about making it to the Hall of Fame. Frank shouted, “Jules made the Hall” in excitement when Julian told him the news on FaceTime.