Deion Sanders Cannot Handle Julian Edelman’s Beard

Media appearances for the Patriots wide receiver are now turning to his personal grooming choices.


Julian Edelman Tom Brady

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) congratulates wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) after Edelman scored a touchdown, during the first half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

If you’ve been keeping up with the Patriots this year, you’ve probably noticed that Julian Edelman has been rocking a full, lustrous beard all season. But apparently, when you get up close to it, it’s a little overwhelming. Or at least it was for Deion Sanders, former NFL star and current NFL Network commentator, who interviewed Edelman for one of the wide receiver’s Super Bowl media appearances.

Sanders clearly had a few questions ready for Edelman, but moments after beginning the interview, he totally shifts gears and gets lost in the beard. “I just can’t see you with this beard,” Sanders says. “This beard is doing something to me.” And no, that “something” is not a compliment. “It don’t look right,” Sanders explains.

“I actually shaved two days ago,” Edelman deadpans in response. “It just grows back.”

The rest of the interview isn’t much smoother, as Sanders tries to get Edelman to talk about a range of Super Bowl-related themes, and Edelman gives a series of dry answers. For instance, why do the Patriots still play the underdog role after all these years? “I don’t know if we’re playing a role. I think we’re just going out and playing. That’s for everyone else to talk about.”

Or, is he worried about the Rams strong secondary? “Yeah, they’re a good group.”

OK, what’s his main goal for this Super Bowl? “Just win. That’s all I care about, honestly.”

We get it, it’s not exactly easy to come up with new narratives for the Patriots at this point. Julian Edelman has played in roughly 30 Super Bowls by now (or at least that’s what it feels like, given all the drama in the last couple of Super Bowls). Still, maybe we can leave the man’s hair choices alone. Sanders even pushes him to confirm he’ll shave the beard if they win the Super Bowl. He gets a firmly vague “I gotchu” in response. Does he, though?

You can see all the media day awkwardness on the NFL Network’s site, or just get the beard highlights below.