Julian Edelman

A tiny, young boy bawls to his father late at night upset about his appearance. His days of high school are spent wishing to grow, because being less than 5ft and a freshman is unsettling to him. To his dissatisfaction, every night his father replies to him with the same answer, "Son, just hang in there. Just hang in there,"(Schaap). Who would have known that this boy who struggled being different from the other kids, and who was constantly underestimated at a young age, would turn out to be a full blown NFL star with the New England Patriots: Julian Edelman. According to Ian O'Connor, "Nobody better defines who the Patriots are, and how they became what they became, than the mid-major afterthought who willed himself to stardom with high-major attitude and heart,"(O'Connor). Growing up in Redwood City, California, Julian was always the smallest on the field yet proved everyone wrong about his skill by bringing Woodside High School, San Mateo Junior College, and Kent State to extreme heights in a span of a few years. Currently 29 years old at 5'10 and 196 pounds, Julian Edelman is a key player on the New England Patriots offense who not only inspires his teammates, but people all around the world. A hero must possess traits of determination, reliability, and integrity. All of these character traits have the ability to inspire and persuade others. Julian Edelman isn't just an ordinary NFL player; he's also an inspiring hero who defeated the odds due to his determination for success, his reliability on the football field to contribute to his team, and his extraordinary integrity on and off the field.

All throughout his life, Julian Edelman has been determined and hardworking which many people admire about Julian. Matthew Slater, Julian's teammate on the Patriots praises him voicing, "I think the big thing you have to look at - the grand scope of Julian's career, a guy who came in here as a college quarterback and just worked his way into becoming a premier receiver," Slater said. "I think that, in itself, speaks volumes. His work ethic, and the way he prepares, the way he practices - when he's our leader, and he's doing that, the other guys, we can't help but fall in line and do what he's doing,"(Doug). Julian Edelman is well known for putting in so much more effort than most others provide a better future for himself and to be more successful. Not only did he make the transition from Quarterback to Wide Receiver/Punt Returner/Defensive Back a few years back, but he still continues to practice his skills and strive for the best because he knows it's what's best for his team in the end.  His hard work and dedication has labeled him as a leader to numerous of his teammates, and people are able to learn from him and his work habits. In an E:60 documentary about Julian Edelman, the narrator uttered,"Edelman knew he was no one's idea of an NFL quarterback so the winter following his senior season he would drive every day to and from Cleveland, a 90 minute round trip to transform himself into a receiver,"(Schaap). Julian Edelman's dream ever since he was a little boy was to be in the NFL. He didn't want anything getting in the way of his dream, so he decided to wake up at 3:30am almost everyday to make the commute to Cleveland to better himself and his future. By doing this, Julian showed a great level of persistence which could help other people. Overall, Julian Edelman's towering determination has inspired others and persuaded people to change their work ethic and work hard for what they want.

Not only is Julian hardworking, but he is also a reliable teammate, meaning he can be trusted by anyone due to his responsibility.  At Kent State's Pro Day, Edelman's speed and agility surprised several scouts,"With a New England scout among only a handful present at Kent's Pro Day, recalled Frank Edelman, his son posted an eye-popping number in the short shuttle, a drill central to success of slot receivers. The number was so impressive, in fact, that the scouts didn't believe it, so they requested he run it a second time. The retrial was even better, at 3.91 seconds, exactly 0.05 seconds faster than anyone posted at the Combine,"(Dupont). Scouts couldn't believe that the time belonged to Julian Edelman. Once again, he was underestimated. However, because of Julian's reliability, he can be trusted which was shown when he had to run again and again, yet his results stayed the same, if not better. Julian Edelman's efforts and trustworthiness can also be seen by Tom Brady when he says,"Julian has worked his tail off to get where he's at. I think he's really taken advantage of every opportunity that he's gotten, Julian has. I'm really proud of him. He keeps coming out and making plays, and he's done such a great job being so dependable and reliable for our team. It's great to have him,"(Doug). In the NFL, every team member should be doing their part.  Julian Edelman goes above and beyond to execute more plays because he strives for greatness. In the NFL, every team member should be doing their part.  Julian Edelman goes above and beyond to execute more plays because he strives for greatness. When you're on a team with Julian, as Brady said, he is someone to count on because it's a known fact that Julian will do whatever he can to not let others down on the field. Julian Edelman's efforts to be reliable on the field have taken a toll on many people for the better.

Another trait Julian Edelman is known to have is integrity, and because his morals are so strong, they influence others. Most of the time, Julian Edelman doesn't realize he is making such a difference with his integrity like when he says, ''Anytime the coach asks you to do anything around here, you're going to jump on it,'' he said. ''That's ultimately how I made this team, and I take pride in going out there and trying to contribute in any kind of way I can,''(Hoffman). Julian is always up for anything, so when his coach Bill Belichick needs something to be done, he jumps on any opportunity because he believes it's what's right. He has been doing this his whole life, so unfortunately, Julian Edelman doesn't understand he is setting a new tone for the people around him with his outgoing, and spontaneous personality. As for Julian's perception of what a hero is, it just so happens that he is oblivious to his actions because he fulfills his requirements, "A leader is a person that has production and usually has a good attitude," Edelman said. "That's how I've been told a leader is. If you go out there and you have a good attitude, and you're constantly supporting everyone and that kind of stuff, and then you also have a really productive day - I don't know if you call yourself a leader. I think it's more of what your peers think. I'm just trying to go out there and do my job and play tough, smart football,"(Doug). Julian Edelman  constantly goes in and out of a game with a positive attitude, trying to get others on the same level and focused for a game. Anyone who has ever been close to Julian at some point in his life knows that he is definitely someone to look up to because of his outstanding integrity. Not only does Julian have significant integrity on the football field, but he is also known for his generous work with charitable organizations during his free time. For example, Julian has been seen on multiple occasions working with Best Buddies, an organization that allows volunteers to provide support for people with disabilities. By Julian having integrity, it has inspired people because of his contagious efforts and strong morals.

Julian Edelman's superb determination at everything he does, his reliability felt by anyone close to him, and his indestructible integrity has changed the lives of numerous people and is what makes Julian a hero. In the E:60 documentary focused on Julian Edelman, it is said that,"A Super Bowl hero, an NFL star, Tom Brady's buddy, Julian Edelman has reached the pinnacle for the kid who was undersized and frequently underestimated. Who knows what's next,"(Schaap). Julian Edelman has achieved many things in his 29 years on this Earth. That's an inspiring story in itself, but what makes it even more special is his backstory and how he took the long road to get where he his today. Julian Edelman is my hero because he's one of the most relatable athletes I've ever heard of. Of course Julian Edelman has incredible skill, but he had to overcome obstacles on his way to the NFL. There are many times in my life where I've been underestimated, whether that be in sports like Julian, or in school or with friends, he's someone I can look up to. Although Julian's actions go unnoticed, and he isn't as well known as Oprah or Martin Luther King Jr., Julian Edelman will always be my hero because he has made such a positive impact on my life.

Works Cited

Dupont, Kevin Paul. "Julian Edelman Took the 'back Road' to the NFL - The Boston

Globe." BostonGlobe.com. N.p., 17 Jan. 2014. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.         

Edelman, Julian. Interview by Jeremy Schaap. E:60. E:60, 2015. Web. 9 February 2016.             

Hoffman, Benjamin. "By Breaking Mold of Receiver, Edelman Fits In With Patriots." New

York Times 30 Jan. 2015: B13(L). Student Resources in Context. Web. 2 Feb. 2016.

Kyed, Doug. "Julian Edelman's Path To Prominence: Arrive Early, Produce, Lead By

Example." NESNcom. N.p., 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.     

O'Connor, Ian. "How Julian Edelman Made Himself into the Perfect Patriot." ESPN. ESPN

Internet Ventures, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.