Julian Edelman to be inducted into Patriots Hall of Fame
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Edelman also filled in on defense, stepping in to work as a defensive back when the Patriots' secondary faced a rash of injuries in 2011.
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He was a dependable target for Brady during the regular season, but Edelman had a knack for saving his best performances for the biggest games.
In 19 career playoff contests, he had 118 catches (third in NFL history) for 1,442 yards (third in NFL history) and five touchdowns. That included a masterful performance in Super Bowl LI, when he helped spark the Patriots to a comeback win over Atlanta with a memorable second-half catch he corralled just inches off the turf.
There was his touchdown pass to Danny Amendola that helped turn the tide in a January 2015 divisional playoff game against the Ravens; his eventual game-winning touchdown catch in New England's win over Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX; and 12 catches for 141 yards versus the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. It earned him Super Bowl MVP honors and his third ring.
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'By any measure of what constitutes an elite NFL career — wins, championships, production — Julian has it all,' Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement when Edelman retired.
'Day in and day out, Julian was always the same: all out. Then, in the biggest games and moments, with championships at stake, he reached even greater heights and delivered some of his best, most thrilling performances,' Belichick added. 'For all Julian did for our team, what I may appreciate the most is he was the quintessential throwback player. He could, and did, do everything — catch, run, throw, block, return, cover and tackle — all with an edge and attitude that would not allow him to fail under any circumstance.
'Julian Edelman is the ultimate competitor and it was a privilege to coach him.'
In his first year of eligibility, Edelman beat out kicker Adam Vinatieri and offensive lineman Logan Mankins in a fan vote. The induction ceremony will take place this summer in Foxborough.
Christopher Price can be reached at
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