Team-mates of New England Patriots’ wide receiver Julian Edelman have revealed that the player has a long history of indecent behaviour, including several past incidents of groping, many of which were directed at his own team-mates.
The revelations come following the recent arrest of Edelman for groping a woman in a Boston nightclub during a Halloween party. Police were called to the club at about 1:30 am after a woman complained to the club’s management that the 25-year-old receiver reached under her costume and grabbed her crotch. Edelman was arrested outside the club soon after and was charged with indecent assault and battery.
Commenting after the arrest, several Patriots’ insiders told The Public Apology that Edelman has been known to “go the grope”, often in the locker room.
“I was taking a shower after the game. I was pretty happy: I’d made two sacks and we’d won easily. So I’m lathering up and then I feel someone grabbing my tackle. I spin around and there’s Edelman with a big stupid grin on his face,” said a Patriots’ linebacker who chose not to be identified for fear of reprisals.
Other players confirmed the linebacker’s story and told of other incidents. “Most people shake hands, you know, after a good win or after a good practice. Edelman, well, he’d grab your cock,” said another Patriots’ player.
However, star Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady refused to comment on the issue.
“What happens in the locker room stays in the locker room. We all have our little quirks and I don’t want to give away any of our secrets,” he said cryptically to reporters outside Gillette Stadium on Thursday.
The damaging allegations further compound New England’s problems following their humiliating 25-17 defeat against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Edelman’s arrest came just a day after the embarrassing defeat, and formed much of the basis for the player’s defence. An attorney working for Edelman also cited a heavy blow to the head the player had received during the game as a mitigating factor.
“Your honour, NFL players aren’t rocket scientists to begin with, and we will prove to this court that Edelman’s extremely poor brain function was further diminished by the strong hit he took during the game.”
Edelman was released on bail following his arraignment, and is scheduled to return to a Suffolk County court in January. Bail conditions imposed on Edelman by the judge, included strict prohibitions on engaging in any forms of “groping, fiddling or turkey slapping.”
By Nick Gordon