Some news and notes for this Tuesday:<\/p>\n
1) Obviously, the biggest news on Monday came late in the afternoon as Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman announced his retirement after 12 seasons.<\/p>\n
The veteran wideout announced his decision on social media, not long after news came out over the transaction wire that he had been released with a “failed physical” designation.<\/p>\n
At 5:33 pm, Edelman posted a nearly 4-minute video on Twitter that was simply captioned “Foxboro Forever” and was clearly shot recently, as it was set at night time with Edelman slowly walking into the frame before sitting down in the center of Gillette Stadium in a director’s chair.<\/p>\n
This was a decision he had already reached, with Edelman sitting there thoughtfully looking around as over one minute of audio of highlights from his terrific career played in the background.\u00a0 When it stopped, Edelman, dressed in a navy turtleneck and a grey sportcoat, began to speak, smiling as he addressed the fans as he closed the book on his terrific career.<\/p>\n
“Nothing in my career has ever come easy and, no surprise, this isn’t going to be easy either,” began Edelman.\u00a0 “Now, I’ve always said, ‘we’ll go until the wheels come off’ and…they finally have fallen off.\u00a0 Due to an injury last year, I’ll be making my official announcement of my retirement from football.\u00a0 It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family and I’m honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot.”<\/p>\n
“There are a million people I have to thank.\u00a0 Mr. Kraft, the Kraft family, I’ve learned so much from you guys on and off the field.\u00a0 Coach Belichick, you gave me my opportunity, always love you for that.\u00a0 My teammates, we’ve gone to war, we’ve lost some, we’ve won some, you guys will always be my brothers.\u00a0 To all my coaches that I’ve played under, I appreciate all your insight, all your hard work, all your knowledge.”<\/p>\n
“To the entire Patriots organization from the meal ladies, the people that clean up after us, the people in the hallways, the training staff, the strength staff, we’ve shared so many awesome memories that I’ll never forget.\u00a0 And of course, my family, you guys have always had my back.”<\/p>\n
“It’s been the best 12 years of my life.\u00a0 It’s a hell of a run.\u00a0 And I can’t forget you, Patriot Nation.\u00a0 You guys have welcomed me and my family to a region we do not know, we didn’t know.\u00a0 But now, I’m one of you.\u00a0 I’m going to leave you guys with two words.\u00a0 Foxboro, forever.”<\/p>\n
With that, Edelman got up and walked away, with a caption then appearing that read, “It’s been a helluva story.\u00a0 Thanks for everything.”\u00a0 That was then followed by “Foxboro Forever.”<\/p>\n
From there, with his hands in his pockets and a somber look on his face, he walked off the field toward the end zone.\u00a0 He looked around for a few moments, but in true Edelman fashion, he ended the video with a bit of humor as he looked down at his watch and said, “beam me up.”<\/p>\n
And then he disappeared.<\/p>\n
Well played, #11.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/Edelman11\/status\/1381722282570170373<\/p>\n
2) His run was pretty amazing, and the story of how he came to become such a key player for the Patriots is pretty impressive.\u00a0 The young 7th round pick out of Kent State was drafted largely because of his athleticism, with the former quarterback joining the team in 2009 during what was the middle of Wes Welker’s tenure with the team.<\/p>\n
In the first preseason game of the year that season against the Eagles, Welker was sidelined with a sore knee.\u00a0 That gave Edelman, then a rookie, the opportunity to handle the punt return duties.<\/p>\n
On the first opportunity he had to make a play, he was forced to make a fair catch.\u00a0 But on the next one, he took it back 75-yards for the touchdown.<\/p>\n
That moment clearly struck a chord with Belichick, as he asked Ernie Adams right after that play if he remembered the name of the player who was replaced by Lou Gehrig.\u00a0 Adams must have replied with “Wally Pipp”, and Belichick then started what became a notable moment on NFL films where he went over and asked Welker if he knew who he was.<\/p>\n