This past Monday, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman formally announced his retirement from the NFL after 11 professional seasons.
The decision to retire came on the heels of a failed physical with the Patriots and his contract for this upcoming season was terminated.
“It’s been the best 12 years of my life,” Edelman said in his social media video. “It’s a hell of a run and I can’t forget you, Patriot nation. You guys have welcomed me and my family to a region we did not know. But now, I’m one of you. I’m going to leave you guys with two words: Foxboro forever.”
Edelman walks away from football with 620 career receptions (the second-most in Patriots franchise history behind Wes Welker) for 6,822 yards and 36 touchdowns in 137 regular season games.
During the postseason, Edelman was a even more dominant force, tallying 118 receptions and 1,442 yards, both second only to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice all time. He retires a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Not bad for a seventh round draft pick.
In the days since the announcement, Edelman has continued to receive an outpouring of support over social media from many around the NFL community.
You can take a look at all the best postings honoring Edelman’s football career below. It truly was “a helluva story”.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNlWai2Hnib/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNlYESAHF02/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
https://twitter.com/scottzolak/status/1381704757862150146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1381704757862150146%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbcsports.com%2Fboston%2Fpatriots%2Fnfl-twitter-reacts-after-patriots-wr-julian-edelman-announces-retirement
Hell of a career! #Respect https://t.co/defnxdGBlB
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) April 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/JOSH_GORDONXII/status/1381728076007022592?s=20
https://twitter.com/KVN_03/status/1381728439619756032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Been around a lot of players throughout my time in the NFL. All of them the best competitors. But none compares to @Edelman11 you were an inspiration early in my career, a hell of a freaking teammate and someone to call me brother for the rest of our lives. Congrats brother.
— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan_15) April 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/zeus30hightower/status/1381744332542259202?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Jones2/status/1381752788867297282?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/McCourtyTwins/status/1381778394229186561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Furry. Cute. Elusive. Feisty.
Congrats on retirement to the 3x champ squirrel. Honor playing with ya, whenever a big play was needed ya always came thru, my friend. @Edelman11 pic.twitter.com/JGYIVtaqYu— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) April 13, 2021
Yøu’ll be missed øn the field brother??#Edelman #Patriots https://t.co/NsW3hwMI2r
— Cameron 1 Newton (@CameronNewton) April 13, 2021
He came in as a seventh-round pick.
He retires as a 3x champ.Thanks for the memories, @Edelman11. pic.twitter.com/VoXD9XEYWm
— NFL (@NFL) April 12, 2021
Thanks for the Memories @Edelman11 pic.twitter.com/f1WKLIU3Fn
— 98.5 The Sports Hub (@985TheSportsHub) April 13, 2021
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