Patriots Gridiron News: Julian Edelman is the definition of ‘mentally tough’

From Kent State quarterback to New England Patriots wide receiver, there is no denying the mental toughness of Super Bowl LIII MVP Julian Edelman.

While Rob Gronkowski has defined “The Patriot Way” in 2018, Julian Edelman is the mere definition of what Bill Belichick loves in New England Patriots players.

A seventh-round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Edelman’s versatility and commitment to the game has transcended him into one of the most productive wide receivers in team history if not the entire NFL.

Battling through physical limitations fueled by extreme mental toughness, what Julian Edelman has done in his career with the Patriots is a remarkable story of what hard work can accomplish in the NFL.  Playing behind great slot receivers like Wes Welker and catching the ball from Tom Brady doesn’t hurt either, but when it comes to greatness, it is all about the fortitude of Edelman.

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He is not the flashy, diva wide receiver, but he is as gutsy as they come.  He has also put himself in some great company ranking just second behind the great Jerry Rice in the history books for most postseason receptions.

That number was catapulted by his 10 receptions and 141 yards in Super Bowl LIII, which earned him Super Bowl LIII MVP honors.  Still, his modesty and commitment to the team is what makes Julian Edelman stand out as a person and as a player.

In a season in which he was coming off a season-ending ACL tear and four-game PED suspension, Edelman proved just how tough he is as a football player.  Not only did he battle the challenge of getting back to full strength, he also battled the embarrassment of failed an NFL drug test.

Simply put, toughness became his middle name in 2018.

"“After going through this whole year,” Edelman said in an interview with Peter King.  “These last 24 months of my life have been a roller coaster.  You go out and you tear an ACL.  Then a of a sudden you have a suspension that you’re facing.  A lot of things go down and then you end up…a huge low of your life.  Because football is life.  That’s what people don’t understand with me.  This is what I am.  This is what I was put here to do.  This is what I sacrificed all my time for – my friends, my family, everything like that.”"

It is great to see such a challenging season end the way it did for a player like Julian Edelman.

Importance of Julian Edelman not up for debate

With Julian Edelman’s performance throughout the postseason, a debate about whether or not he is Hall-of-Fame worthy arose.

While some felt he doesn’t have the overall numbers, some noted his importance as a slot receiver as a reason he has earned Hall-of-Fame status.  His PED suspension may have put a dent in his actual chances, there is no doubt Edelman has earned his way into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

There is absolutely no debating the importance of Julian Edelman.  He has become and still is Tom Brady’s security blanket.  When healthy, he is reliable and instills a toughness on the football field that transcends throughout the entire offense.  He is simply a motivator who comes through time and time again.  He is a player who also does whatever Bill Belichick asks of him.

In his career with the New England Patriots, Edelman has not only been a great receiver, but has contributed as a punt returner, defensive back, running back at times and has even thrown a couple of passes, one for a touchdown.  If he wasn’t as mentally tough as he is, the team wouldn’t have asked him to morph into different roles on the football team.

Julian Edelman is the perfect Patriots player, the definition of excellence.