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Ep. 11: Julian Edelman, Patriots Legend

April 17, 2021

Q&A with Julian Edelman on Spotify

Any football fan knows that Julian Edelman’s quick moves and skilled hands made him a coveted receiver and the target of defensive players throughout the NFL.

Now, as the New England Patriots legend has announced his NFL retirement, Edelman has unveiled his creative side.

“Incredelman” and Edelman’s NFTs

On March 31, 2021, Edelman and creative design partner Superdigital announced that the wide receiver was launching an NFT collectibles auction. NFTs (or non-fungible tokens) are a type of non-monetary crypto, increasingly used to sell and trade digital art, music and even sports memorabilia.

Edelman’s longtime Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski netted $1.2 million during his own NFT auction in March. But Edelman’s range of NFTs include the Incredelman comic book series and Pokemon-style animated cards. In this interview, the Pats’ legendary slot receiver at three-time Super Bowl winner also says that some auctions proceeds were going to non-profits that educate to fight hate.

Battling prejudice

Just over a month ago NBA player Meyers Leonard made an antisemitic slur during a video game streaming session. Shortly after that, Julian Edelman put out a statement in which he said, directly to Leonard, that he thought the basketball player’s comments had come more from ignorance than hate, and invited him out.

“I’m down in Miami fairly often. Let’s do a Shabbat dinner with some friends. I’ll show you a fun time,” Edelman wrote.

During our short interview, I ask Edelman about the hate and prejudice that still surfaces today, and he offered some perspective about his background and coexisting with different people.

Slot receiver extraordinaire

Edelman is one of two players during the Bill Belichick era to play as a distinct slot receiver, making it a sharp weapon against opponents. He talks about the slot receivers and the position’s style of play, and how former Patriots slot receiver Wes Welker helped him master the role.

Andy Frye speaks with Julian Edelman, in Episode 11. You can also read Frye’s Forbes interview with Edelman here.

 

Julian Edelman

  • 1:30 Edelman jokes about Philly fans, Super Bowl rings and Boston fans
  • 2:55 Edelman talks NFTs, current "renaissance era" of tech
  • 4:00 Edelman "will rip your heart out" in football but has a creative side
  • 5:15 Edelman talks signature plays, NFT fan demand
  • 7:00 Influencing people, battling hate and prejudice
  • 10:00 Wes Welker and the Pats' slot receiver weaponry
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