Julian Edelman, the Super Bowl champion wide receiver for the New England Patriots, has become an icon for his inspiring story of an underdog kid who was always doubted to becoming one of the most reliable and inspiring players in the NFL. His dynamic speed and ability with the ball made him a crucial piece of the Patriots' success. Even after retirement, Edelman remains dedicated to fitness. This article delves into the diet and workout regimen that helped shape Edelman into an NFL star, drawing from various sources, including Edelman himself.
From College Quarterback to NFL Wide Receiver: The Transition
Edelman's path to the NFL was unconventional. Despite a successful college career as a quarterback, where he ran for 1,370 yards and threw for 1,820 yards as a senior, he recognized that his 5' 10" frame would likely prevent him from playing that position professionally.
I knew I wasn’t going to play quarterback in the NFL at 5' 10". I’d have to convert to wide receiver-which I’d never played-or become a kick-return specialist.
The Canadian Football League (CFL), with its wider field, was a nice fit for a dual-threat guy like him, and their British Columbia Lions even claimed his negotiating rights. However, Edelman harbored NFL dreams.
Well, I didn’t grow up dreaming of playing in Canada. And that’s when I made the decision that it was time to change positions.
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This decision led him to a grueling path to the NFL draft, where he would have to impress scouts as a receiver, a position he had never played before.
Pre-Draft Training: A Grueling Regimen
Since Edelman wasn't invited to the Combine, he had to make a big impression at Kent’s pro day. He trained in Cleveland at Speed Strength Systems with Tim Robertson, known for being a Combine training guru.
It was like Rocky IV when he was training in Russia. I’d get up at 5:45 and drive fifty-five minutes in a pickup truck with no heat to get to a huge tin building that felt like an old factory.
This rigorous training involved workouts six days a week, eating five meals a day, and drinking protein between meals.
Nutritional Transformation
One of the most important things Edelman learned during this period was nutrition. He transformed his diet from fast food to clean eating.
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I didn’t know how to eat, so I would just eat off the dollar menu at Burger King or McDonald’s like a poor college kid.
His new routine included:
- Breakfast: Two cups of oatmeal, four eggs, two pieces of toast, thirty-two ounces of water, and sixteen ounces of orange juice. No butter, only fat-free Pam.
- Lunch: Healthy sandwiches, or a clean turkey sandwich from Subway with no mayo.
- Other Meals: Four-ounce tilapia with a cup and a half of brown rice, two cups of frozen broccoli, and thirty-two ounces of water.
Edelman cut out real sugar for about three months and bought food in bulk, such as 64-ounce pieces of tilapia. This disciplined approach led to noticeable results within four weeks.
Working out six days a week, eating five meals a day, drinking protein between meals, I was losing weight down to 190 but I was stronger and more defined.
Route Running and Catching Drills
To catch up on his receiver skills, Edelman dedicated himself to catching hundreds of balls daily.
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At night, before I went to class, I’d go to the indoor track facility and catch about four hundred balls. Why? Because I was so far behind.
Charlie Frye taught him the basics of route running, including how to cut sharply. Edelman's lateral quickness and cutting ability became strengths, compensating for his inexperience as a wideout.
Getting open isn’t all speed.
Edelman's Workout Philosophy
Edelman’s workout philosophy revolves around explosiveness, strength, and agility. He credits his off-season workouts with quarterback Tom Brady for teaching him the importance of working smarter, not just harder.
TB would tell me, 'Hey Jules, it's not always about working harder; it's about working smarter.'
His training regimen also includes running "The Hill," made famous by Jerry Rice.
I run up as fast as I can, driving my knees and taking small steps. Then I walk back down and repeat.
Post-Retirement Fitness
Retirement hasn't slowed down Edelman's commitment to fitness. He has explored new ways to stay in shape, including boxing.
Since retirement, I’ve gotten into boxing. It’s a great workout and a new way to stay in shape.
In a new photo shared to his Instagram account yesterday, Edelman showed off his shredded, shirtless physique with a photo captured mid-stride on a passing route. As an added bonus, Edelman also appears to be adhering to safe social distancing practices, donning a surgical face mask in lieu of his helmet. In a caption accompanying the photo, Edelman joked, "New face mask, same routine."
Edelman's Core Workout and More
During the coronavirus shutdown, Edelman teamed up with Planet Fitness to host a virtual workout session that included exercises like pushups, lunges, and jumping jacks. He also shared tips and insights during the session, emphasizing the importance of hydration.
Hydration is crucial. Old quarterback I used to have used to talk about it a lot. Brady, what was his name?
He laid out rules he learned from retired fitness instructor Richard Simmons:
- We have fun
- We’re cutting calories, baby
Edelman also highlighted specific exercises:
- Lunges: Edelman equated this exercise to “squishing a bug,” and said to keep your knee above your ankle as well as maintain a bend in your back leg.