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Patriots gridiron news: How Julian Edelman will defy ‘cheater’ label

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 22: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots reacts prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 22: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots reacts prior to the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman is not only battling back from season-ending ACL surgery, he also has to shed the “cheater” label.

When a former college quarterback morphs into one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers, he has to be on something right? Now facing a four-game PED suspension, New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman now has his reputation to fight for.

Determination, hard work, drive and motivation has always described the relentless passion of Edelman.  Not only has he earned a role on the most successful franchise since the start of the new millennium, he has become of its most important players.

A fan favorite on and off the field, will testing positive for an unknown substance hurt how he is viewed by Patriots fans?  Probably not.

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But, what about from the rest of the league?

With the New England Patriots labeled as a cheating organization due to their sustained success, Julian Edelman will be seen as a cheater even if his appeal turns out in his favor. So what should he do?  Simply embrace it and continue doing the things that made him who he is.

Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison certainly knows what it feels like to be in Edelman’s shoes.  The current NBC analyst, who tested positive for PEDs at the end of his career, offered the following advice to Edelman when speaking about the situation last Thursday:

"“Ultimately, people are going to think what they want to think, if you’re part of the Patriots, and something like this happens, people from the outside, they think you’re a cheater anyway.  Ultimately, I’d tell him, ‘It doesn’t matter what other people think.  You know what type of person you are.  You just have to bounce back from this.  You can’t allow it to affect you, you have to use your time wisely.’”"

The 31-year-old wide receiver has apologized for letting down his fans, coaches, teammates and owners just like Harrison went on to suggest.  Although he claims not to know what happened with the positive results of the test, Harrison further advised Edelman to recognize his mistake and remain humble.

A league of respect

 Although Julian Edelman’s reputation will take a hit no matter what happens with the appeal, Rodney Harrison says the respect will remain because of what the New England Patriots star receiver has accomplished in his career.

As a tough, unselfish player who prepares hard and does whatever the coaches ask of him to win games, Edelman is still a player teams want to have on their team.

The way he leads, the way he believes, the way he motivates his teammates are reasons a positive testing can’t devalue all he has left on the field.  That great catch in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons sums up all that is Julian Edelman.

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He is simply a player who never gives up on a play.  He battles until there is nothing left.  He is an energy guy who leaves his heart on the field.  If that makes him a “cheater,” so be it.

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