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Patriots Wide Receiver: Anticipation of Playing Football Is Like Waiting to Open Hanukkah Gifts

In his return from injury, Julian Edelman felt the magic of Hanukkah, then tore up his opponent

by
Jonathan Zalman
January 19, 2016
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, January 16, 2016. Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Jim Rogash/Getty Images
Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots takes the field against the Kansas City Chiefs during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, January 16, 2016. Jim Rogash/Getty Images

The New England Patriots, an NFL dynasty in action, beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Foxboro, Mass., over the weekend, the first bump in its road back to the Super Bowl. They won in part because Chiefs coach Andy Reid proved, yet again, to be an inept clock manager; oh, and the Patriots had wide receiver Julian Edelman back.

Edelman, returning from injury (broken bone in foot), is perhaps the team’s best player, and he proved his value in a big way against the Chiefs, gathering 100 yards on 10 catches, and 111 yards of total offense. “I finished the game and feel good enough to get ready to prepare for next week,” he said, while acknowledging that he was sore.

So what was it like for Edelman, who had not seen action since November 19, to return?

“I was like a kid waiting to open up presents on Christmas or Hanukkah,” he said.

Sounds like a blast.

Jonathan Zalman is a writer and teacher based in Brooklyn.