Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman is an American football wide receiver

Julian Edelman (born May 22, 1986) is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Kent State and the College of San Mateo as a quarterback, and was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XLIX and Super Bowl LI with the Patriots. Edelman primarily plays in the slot on offense, and has also been pressed into service as a cornerback at times when the Patriots have been shorthanded on defense. He was sidelined with an ACL injury for the entire 2017 season.

During Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons, Edelman made an unusually difficult catch in the fourth quarter. At first, the pass was tipped into the air by cornerback Robert Alford, and it appeared that it would fall incomplete. Edelman and three defenders lunged at the ball, and, after it bounced off Alford's leg, Edelman made the reception just inches above the ground. NFL Films called the play, which was chosen for the cover of Sports Illustrated, "the greatest catch in Super Bowl history" in a YouTube video.The play sustained a historic comeback for the Patriots, who trailed the Falcons 28–3 late in the third quarter before winning 34–28 in overtime.

2017 season

On June 8, 2017, Edelman signed a two-year, $11 million contract extension with the Patriots, with $9 million guaranteed through the 2019 season. On August 25, 2017, in the team's third preseason game against the Detroit Lions, Edelman completely tore his ACL, which prematurely ended his 2017 season. He was officially placed on injured reserve on September 2, 2017. Without Edelman, the Patriots finished 13-3 and reached Super Bowl LII. The Patriots lost 41-33 to the Philadelphia Eagles.