Julian Edelman Selected to Patriots Hall of Fame, WR Won 3 Super Bowls and SB 53 MVP

The New England Patriots announced that former wide receiver Julian Edelman will be the newest inductee into their Hall of Fame.

Edelman beat out fellow finalists Adam Vinatieri and Logan Mankins.

"Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise's history," team owner Robert Kraft said. "There aren't many players who earn an NFL roster spot at a position they have never played before. Julian not only did that as a seventh-round draft selection, but he finished his career with the second-most receptions in franchise history and as a three-time Super Bowl Champion, including his last as Super Bowl MVP. No one was more committed to his craft and honing his skills than Jules."

Edelman shared his father's reaction upon learning the news:

The 38-year-old spent his entire 11-year playing career in New England.

Football fans are well aware by now of Edelman's journey on the gridiron. A quarterback at Kent State, he transitioned to wide receiver in the pros after the Pats selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft.

It wasn't until his fifth season that Edelman made a breakthrough as a pass-catcher, finishing 2013 with 1,056 receiving yards. He's now second in franchise history in receptions (620) and ranks fourth in yards (6,822).

The California native is also a three-time champion and was the MVP of Super Bowl LIII. He had 10 receptions for 141 yards in a 13-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.

Edelman also pulled off one of the best catches in Super Bowl history to help fuel New England's improbable comeback in Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons.

Opinions are likely divided about whether Edelman warrants enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He doesn't have a Hall of Fame-worthy body of work in terms of raw numbers and regular-season accomplishments, but he delivered time and again in the playoffs. That could lift him over the top.

Regardless of whether he adds a gold jacket to his wardrobe, Edelman's place within Patriots lore is indisputable.