Edelman shines on big stage
SUPERBOWL Julian Edelman insists he is living the dream after inspiring the New England Patriots to glory at the Super Bowl LIII.
Edelman, 32, was crowned the Super Bowl’s Most Valuable Player following the 13-3 triumph against the Los Angeles Rams.
Proudly holding aloft the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Edelman, whose father is Jewish, was a key figure in the season-ending match. He caught a game-high ten passes for 141 yards and also made seven first-half receptions and caught a pass during New England’s fourth-quarter drive that led to the game’s only touchdown.
“It wasn’t pretty,” said Edelman reflecting on his third Super Bowl success. “But I’ll take any ugly win over a pretty loss.”
Wide receiver Edelman has previously said he celebrates Chanukah, and voiced support for the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh in October.
The NFL’s 53rd Super Bowl was the lowest-scoring title game ever, with the scores tied at 3-3 until the fourth quarter. And it marked the end of a tough chapter in Edelman’s life – he missed the entire season in 2017 after tearing a cruciate ligament and then served a four-game suspension at the beginning of this season for violating the
NFL’s policy on performanceenhancing substances.
Edelman put his performance down to working hard at his game. He said: “As a young boy I was taught that you always just have to work hard. Work as hard as you can, put in the extra time and see where it goes. Worry about what you have on your plate at that time. That’s what I have tried to do.
“I’m getting to live out a dream, so it’s pretty surreal right now.”
Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady described Edelman as “a fighter”. He said: “I’m just so proud of him. He’s been an incredible player for this team in the playoffs and he just cemented himself, again, in the history of the NFL for what his accomplishments are.”
This was also a third Super Bowl victory for Nate Ebner, 30, who is the Patriots’ safety and special teamer. Playing in his seventh NFL season, Ebner, who represented the USA in rugby 7’s at the 2016 Rio Olympics, described it as “another mind-blowing experience”.
In defeating the Rams, the Patriots celebrated their sixth league title in 18 seasons – drawing level with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the highest number of titles among NFL teams.
Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft rewarded his players by opening a 50-year-old box of cigars in the changing rooms after their victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Kraft, 77, said: “I always like to dream big. It took us 42 years to win our first Super Bowl but to win six in 18 years is really remarkable.
“Each one has been very special. The support from the fans has been off the charts.”