Jerry Rice on Julian Edelman: ‘He’s got that attitude. That ‘f*** you’ attitude’
Edelman said he has to "live up to it now."
The pressure’s on for Julian Edelman. Fortunately, as Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice knows, the Patriots wide receiver thrives in those situations.
Rice, the former San Francisco 49er widely acknowledged as the greatest receiver in NFL history, praised Edelman for his competitiveness and ability.
“He’s got that attitude,” Rice told The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, “That ‘f*** you’ attitude: ‘I’m going to do what I want to do, and I’m going to go out and I’m going to ball. I’m going to make catches. I’m going to score touchdowns. I’m going to do whatever I have to do to help my team win.’ You can only have an appreciation for that.”
Edelman has been climbing the record book ranks behind Rice and will look to edge closer when the Patriots face the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII. The slot specialist currently holds the second spot on the career postseason receptions list (105) and fourth in postseason yards (1,1271). Rice tops both lists with 151 receptions and 2,245 yards, but he can see Edelman approaching in the rear-view mirror.
“He’s coming after me,” Rice said. “If that should happen, I would be the first one to congratulate him because of what he does on the football field.”
The 49ers great noted he’s heard the knock on Edelman, that the 32-year-old lacks blazing speed. However, Rice pointed out that people said the same thing about him — and the perceived limitation didn’t stop him from picking up 13 Pro Bowl nods.
“What Edelman has is a big heart,” Rice said. “He wants to compete. He wants to be one of the best. He is going to make those difficult catches knowing that he’s going to get hit. You can’t ask for more in a receiver. Just like everybody feeds off Tom Brady, they also feed off Edelman.”
Asked about Edelman’s chances to join Rice in Canton, Rice offered Edelman’s stellar postseason performances and importance to Tom Brady’s offense as support for his candidacy. Edelman acknowledged Friday that he’d heard Rice’s kind words.
“I’ve got to live up to it now, right?” Edelman asked. “When Jerry Rice says stuff like that, that’s an honor and that’s an unbelievable thing. I’m from the Bay Area. I spent my childhood loving the Niners and especially a guy like him.”
However “cool” the comments from a childhood hero, Edelman is keeping his focus on the Los Angeles defenders he’ll be lining up against on Feb. 3.
“I’ve been through this whole thing,” he said, “and the whole media storm and you’re so programmed to, ‘Alright, next.’ You see it and you giggle, but you’re thinking about the Rams.”
