100% Julian Edelman
By Kimmy P.
So I finally had a chance to watch "100% Julian Edelman" which premiered last Friday night on Showtime and ooooh boy I can't wait for football season! This guy continues to amaze me. From his training, to his relationship with his family, to the way he came back from a major injury and a suspension just makes me want to see him succeed that much more. And of course as a New England Patriots fan, I'm glad he's on our side!
Julian Francis Edelman was born in Redwood City CA and despite playing multiple sports growing up no one ever thought he would end up being a professional athlete. Julian's friends and family assumed he would end up working in his dad, Frank Edelman's, garage. He was too small to play sports, but he proved everyone wrong. And his dad was the one to help him do it. Frank coached Julian's football teams growing up and trained Julian in some pretty unconventional ways, even recruiting Julian's brother and sister to help make him the player he is today. Julian's sister Nicole said she would run around in front of him throwing towels in his face while their father would also be throwing footballs at him. Her and brother Jason would try to distract Julian in any way possible to make sure he was ready for whatever might come at him on the field. Frank Edleman joked during the documentary saying how Julian would get so mad at him while they were training and that "it was abusive then we'd go home and do homework". Julian's response was "I wouldn't be where I am without it so I appreciate the push".
Julian played quarterback for the College of San Mateo junior college for a year before transferring to Kent State. Despite impressive stats at both schools Julian still knew no one in the NFL would want him as a quarterback. He had to change his position and started training as a punt returner.
And with the 232nd overall pick (27th pick in the 7th round) of the 2009 draft the New England Patriots selected Julian Edelman!
I'm proud to say I was at the first game Julian scored points in for the Patriots. It was a pre-season game against the Eagles and after watching him return a punt 75 yards for a touchdown I looked at my friend Keith and made possibly the boldest statement of my career as a football fan..... "This kid is going to be the next Troy Brown!" Keith looked at me like I was nuts (because no one knew who the hell Julian Edelman at that time) but would later tell me I was right. Like Troy Brown, Julian Edelman was so versatile. He could do it all. He could catch under pressure, run and cut like he stole something, he could throw, and he could even be subbed into the defense if needed (anyone remember him taking out LaDainian Tomlinson?!) Over the next few years he would become one of Tom Brady's favorite and most trusted targets.
During the 2016 season Julian became a father to daughter Lily Rose on November 30th. Initially he contested paternity but later acknowledged that Lily was his daughter and we get to see a few glimpses of her throughout 100% Julian Edelman. Julian knows that his own father did whatever he could to be a good and present father to him and his siblings growing up and is trying to do the same for his daughter. Although his relationship with Lily's mother, Swedish model Ella Rose, was casual, he still tries to be as much a part of his daughter's life as he can. And can we just say she is absolutely just as cute as dad!
Julian Edelman helped the Patriots win the Superbowls of the 2014 and 2016 seasons but tore his ACL in a pre-season game at the start of the 2017 season. Patriots nation as a whole was devastated (almost as badly as when Tom Brady went down in 2008). We won't talk about the outcome of either of those seasons.
During "100% Julian Edelman", Julian talks about how it feels when you get hurt. "You go back to the locker by yourself and you're in a lonely spot, No matter what anyone tells you it doesn't mean shit". After surgery to repair his ACL he worked his ass off to get back into shape. Maybe a little too much as he would be suspended for the first 4 games of the 2018 season after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. It really makes you think what these athletes go through to stay in top performing shape. During the media frenzy after the suspension was announced no one really said exactly what Julian was accused of taking. We all just assumed this was another ploy by Roger Goodell and the NFL to try to stop the Patriots dominance once again. But after trying to appeal his suspension and being denied Julian sat out 4 his 4 games. During this time he was not allowed to use the team facilities but he found other ways to make sure he was ready to play come week five. And we all know how the rest of the season went! Suck it Goodell!
All in all I give "100% Julian Edelman" a thumbs up and can't wait to see what else Julian's new production company comes out with!
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