Julian Edelman has officially played his last snap in the NFL.
After being released by the Patriots earlier in the day, the wide receiver announced his retirement with a four-minute video posted to his social media channels early Monday evening.
It began with highlights from his career and then him talking while sitting on a chair with Gillette Stadium in the background.
“Nothing in my career has ever come easy, and no surprise, this isn’t going to be easy, either," Edelman said. "I’ve always said I’m going to go till the wheels go off, and they finally have fallen off. Due to an injury last year, I will be making my official announcement of my retirement from football. It was a hard decision, but the right decision for me and my family. And I am honored and so proud to be retiring a Patriot.”
Edelman thanked a number of people including Robert Kraft, the Kraft family, Bill Belichick, teammates, coaches, stadium workers, his family and the fans.
"I’m going to leave you with two words: Foxboro Forever," Edelman said.
Here is the video.