Injuries, like a broken foot, torn ACL, and patella sprain, troubled Julian Edelman throughout his career. The now NFL veteran called it quits after 12 seasons with the New England Patriots. Feeling he couldn’t perform at his best and fearing further injury after he was limited to playing just 6 games in 2020, he retired. Yet, his retirement wasn’t just about injuries.

In a recent interview with Dana White, Edelman opened up about his decision. He highlighted the importance of both physical and mental health in his decision, making it clear that his well-being was the priority. This choice went beyond a win-at-all-costs mentality; it reflected a deeper understanding of what truly mattered to him, both on and off the field.

“It wasn’t hard”: Julian Edelman reveals reasons behind retirement

In a recent chat with UFC President Dana White, Julian Edelman opened up about his retirement. When Dana asked how tough it was to leave after all his team’s success, Edelman replied, “It wasn’t hard. I respect the game too much and when I turned on the film, I wasn’t looking like me.” He went on to explain how even simple things became difficult, emphasizing, “I’m not greedy. I love the game, and I’ve accomplished so much from the game. I have went above and beyond anything I expected. I got to get out of here just because I missed off a lot of people.”

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Edelman opened up about his struggles preparing for games when his body wasn’t cooperating. This ongoing physical battle led to the stark realization that he’d reached his limit. Surprisingly, he confessed that he didn’t miss the game until he felt physically fit again, pointing out the toll injuries had taken. 

Edelman opens up about the pressure on athletes

During the interview, he also revealed a torn meniscus during the last game was one of the reasons why retired. A few such micro-fractures are a common but tough opponent for athletes, especially at 34. Recovering was incredibly challenging, not just physically, but mentally, too. He emphasized the immense pressure on key players, contributing to their emotional strain.

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Edelman also shared an interesting perspective on post-season retirement decisions, comparing it to the aftermath of a tough battle, where players are understandably “beat up” mentally and physically. He believes they don’t always have the space to process a major decision like retirement right away. This lack of space, following the intense season, could be leading to an undercurrent of “mental injuries” alongside physical ones. What is your take on this? Let us know in the comments below!