09 June 2023 , 18:40
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New England Patriots hero Julian Edelman admits he was "terrified" of NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice when he dated his daughter in high school, but he used to mess around with the San Francisco 49ers legend's Super Bowl rings.
Edelman won three Super Bowl titles during a glorious 12 seasons with the Pats, being named Super Bowl MVP when New England edged out the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.
But in his teens, he was certainly put in his place when he was dating Rice's daughter, Jacqui, taking her to prom at Woodside High School in California in the late 1990s.
Jacqui revealed the connection last month, telling The Ecyclopedia, Edelman and Rice did not get on and her former boyfriend was - perhaps not surprisingly - "intimidated" by the three-time Super Bowl champion.
Edelman has had his own say on meeting Rice at the time, admitting he was overawed by the 10-time All-Pro wide receiver, but he found a way of getting his own back when Rice was not around.
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"Terrified," Edelman told No Chill With Gilbert Arenas. "I remember the first time I came over and Jerry came out with his chain on, no shirt, six-packed up and just gave me a head nod. And that was like the last time we talked in like two years. It was tough, it was scary.
"I was terrified and I have a little girl now so I understand, you kind of get it, a little punk kid coming in your house thinking he's dating the daughter and stuff. But I'll tell you one thing when Jerry wasn't there, I was putting on his Super Bowl rings and everything."
At the time they first crossed paths, it would have been inconceivable that Edelman would emulate Rice's feat of three Super Bowl triumphs as a wide receiver. Edelman was a quarterback at the time and went to Kent State University as a three-year starter.
He was drafted by the Patriots in 2009, but not as a QB. Instead, he did his time on special teams before emerging as a reliable slot receiver, forming a close bond with Tom Brady as the Pats lifted the Lombardi Trophy in 2015, 2017 and 2019.
Edelman retired in 2022, finishing his career in third on the all-time receiving charts in the post-season with 1,442 yards, behind only Rice (2,245) and Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce (1,548).