Tom Brady on Julian Edelman: ‘He’s kind of like a little brother’
“I’m so happy in everything that he achieves."
Some people call it a “bromance,” but Tom Brady believes his relationship with Julian Edelman is more of a brotherhood.
“He’s always been kind of like my little brother, in a good way,” Brady told reporters Saturday. “I don’t have a little brother, but he’s kind of like a little brother and he knows how much I love him.”
The quarterback Brady, who grew up with three sisters, noted how much he trusts Edelman. He highlighted all the hours they’ve spent together watching film and credited Edelman for mastering the wide receiver position over the years.
Brady said it’s “beyond incredible” that Edelman and Jerry Rice are the only two receivers in NFL postseason history with over 100 catches, and he attributed that success to his work ethic and preparation.
“When you talk about Jerry Rice, that’s a guy that’s set every receiving record in the history of the NFL, basically,” Brady said. “For Jules to be right there as one of two guys including him, again it’s just such a credit to Jules.”
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Brady pointed out that Edelman “wasn’t built like Megatron” – the 6’5 behemoth Calvin Johnson who garnered an intimidating moniker to match his stature. Edelman, instead, embraces the nickname “Squirrel.”
He stands at 5’10, and it’s widely known that he converted from quarterback to wide receiver in the NFL. Brady believes his experience at that position has benefited him a great deal.
“I think his quarterback background’s probably helped him in terms of knowing where to be, knowing how to get open, and knowing when the quarterback wants to get rid of the ball,” Brady said.
His former position is just one of the reasons for their strong relationship. The success they’ve shared together is an obvious one as well, but the two players also grew up very close to each other in California.
Edelman moved from California to the Midwest (Kent State University in Ohio) to launch his college career, just like Brady had moved from California to the University of Michigan years earlier. Brady loves seeing all of his teammates prosper, and Edelman is no exception.
“I’m so happy in everything that he achieves,” Brady said.
