3x Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman recently sat down with Jason and Travis Kelce on the “New Heights” podcast to discuss his illustrious career and share some behind-the-scenes stories from his playing days. One topic that caught everyone’s attention was when Edelman revealed which fan base was the hardest to tackle for him, and surprisingly, it wasn’t the Falcons as one might expect.
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Instead, it was the Buffalo Bills fan base, famously known as the “Bills Mafia.” Known for their passionate support and regular charitable ventures, the Bills Mafia proved to be a formidable opponent not just for the Buffalo Bills on the field but also for Julian Edelman and the New England Patriots.
Julian Edelman Reveals the Toughest Fan Base to Tackle: The Bills Mafia
In a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast, Julian Edelman, the 3x Super Bowl champion, didn’t hold back when discussing the toughest fan base he faced during his playing days. Surprisingly, it wasn’t the Atlanta Falcons or any other well-known rival that gave him the most trouble; instead, it was the Buffalo Bills fan base, famously known as the “Bills Mafia.”
He stated, “Buffalo Bills, the Mafia bills f*ucking hated us”
Edelman shared a vivid account of the passionate Bills fans, stating, “I’ve never been flipped off by the widest range of age from people from three years old to 90 years old after going into Old Orchard and f*cking beating the Bills.” The fan base’s fervent support, combined with their signature tradition of throwing confetti while flipping off opposing players, made facing the Bills a challenging experience.
However, despite the intensity of the rivalry, Edelman acknowledged the unique energy and enthusiasm that the Bills Mafia brought to the game. He stated, “It was like a ritual thing every time you would go in there and win, there’d be people with like confetti flipping you off, throwing it up.”
Despite the animosity on the field, Edelman acknowledged the fun and energy that came with playing in such a heated environment. The intensity of the Buffalo Bills’ fan base made those games particularly memorable and added to the competitive spirit of the sport.
Julian Edelman’s Favorite Victory: Patriots vs. Chiefs in 2018
Julian Edelman shared his favorite win that wasn’t a Super Bowl triumph. He singled out a thrilling playoff victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2018 as the most memorable.
In that AFC Championship game, Edelman was instrumental in leading the New England Patriots to a hard-fought 37-31 victory over the formidable Chiefs. He recorded seven receptions for 96 yards, playing a crucial role in crucial moments of the game.
Edelman described the game, saying, “That was crazy, man. That was my favorite win that wasn’t a Super Bowl because we never won on the road in the playoffs with you know, with before then everything you know everything was at home.” The hard-fought victory against a formidable Chiefs team on their home turf was a defining moment for the New England Patriots.
Reflecting on the momentous win, Edelman added, “When you go on the road and win a game in the playoffs, the plane ride back was rocking.” The atmosphere in the locker room and the jubilant celebration made the victory even more special for Edelman and the team.
The Patriots’ triumph over the Chiefs showcased their resilience and determination, as they secured a crucial win in a hostile environment. For Edelman, the game symbolized the grit and unity of the team, making it a cherished victory in his storied career.
