Relentless: A Memoir

by Julian Edelman

Bill "Julian is the epitome of competitiveness, toughness, and the great things that are possible when someone is determined to achieve their goals."

Tom "It's a privilege for me to play with someone as special as Julian."

The Super Bowl champion wide receiver for the New England Patriots shares his inspiring story of an underdog kid who was always doubted to becoming one of the most reliable and inspiring players in the NFL.

When the Patriots were down 28-3 in Super Bowl LI, there was at least one player who refused to believe they would Julian Edelman. And he said so. It wasn't only because of his belief in his teammates, led by the master of the comeback, his friend and quarterback Tom Brady-or the coaching staff run by the legendary Bill Belichick. It was also because he had been counted out in most of his life and career, and he had proved them all wrong.

Whether it was in Pop Warner football, where his Redwood City, California, team won a national championship; in high school where he went from a 4'10", 95-pound freshman running back to quarterback for an undefeated Woodside High team; or college, where he rewrote records at Kent State as a dual-threat quarterback, Edelman far exceeded everyone's expectations. Everyone's expectations, that is, except his own and those of his father, who took extreme and unorthodox measures to drive Edelman to quiet the doubters with ferocious competitiveness.

When he was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round, the 5'10" college quarterback was asked to field punts and play wide receiver, though he'd never done either. But gradually, under the tutelage of a demanding coaching staff and countless hours of off-season training with Tom Brady, he became one of the NFL's most dynamic punt returners and top receivers who can deliver in the biggest games.

Relentless is the story of Edelman's rise, and the continuing dominance of the Patriot dynasty, filled with memories of growing up with a father who was as demanding as any NFL coach, his near-constant fight to keep his intensity and competitiveness in check in high school and college, and his celebrated nine seasons with the Patriots. Julian shares insights into his relationships and rivalries, and his friendships with teammates such as Tom Brady, Wes Welker, Matt Slater, and Randy Moss. Finally, he reveals the story behind "the catch" and life on the inside of a team for the ages.

Inspiring, honest, and unapologetic, Relentless proves that the heart of a champion can never be measured.

Genres: Sports, Football, Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Autobiography, Audiobook

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2017

Reviews

[Alexandra Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way Julian Edelman tells the story of his life. He is honest about everything starting with his relationship with his parents, his teammates, his life journey, everything he had to come through and has accomplished. If there is a lesson to be learned after finishing the book is never to give up and always believe in yourself. This book is a great lesson on what endurance, determination, and hard work will get you. Loved it!

[Jess☺️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relentless by Julian Eldermen is a memoir of his life and his accomplishments so far.
It's a great insight into how he became the great receiver he is today, from his tuff work outs with his dad to the injuries and all the up and downs.
It also shows what a mask he wears with his I don't give a shit attitude because this book does show how somethings mentally do bother everyone no matter who we are.
There's also a few giggles in there too which keeps it light hearted.
If you love the NFL and are a New England Patriots fan (which i'am 😉) then you'll enjoy this, but if not you'll enjoy it anyway 📖

[Terry Enright · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a Patriots/Edelman fan then this is easy, just read the damn book, you'll like it. As for those who don't fall into one of those categories then you'll probably enjoy learning how a kid who was 5'5" weighing less than 100 LBS entering High School ended up in the NFL with a couple of Super Bowl rings (so far). You get an inside look at the NFL, and the relationships he has with some of his teammates and Coaches, but more importantly you get an inside look at what drives one of the most intense players in the NFL.

[Andi (Andi's ABCs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fitting that this would be my 100th book of the year. It really was so good! I usually struggle with biographies/memoirs but this was fascinating. I learned a lot about my husband and the Patriots.

[Kathie Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had basically no expectations for this book. I picked it up because it was available and I recognized the name. But I actually enjoyed it a lot. I liked hearing about his family as much as his career. He comes across as very hard working and thoughtful made me like him (important because it’s a memoir). It also includes excerpts from his family and friends responding to whatever he’s talking about in the book, which I liked!

If you don’t know much about football (I don’t), he’ll use some terms you don’t understand without explaining, but I got the gist. Fun to hear the behind the scenes of some Super Bowls, Deflategate, his friendship with Tom Brady…

Short and fun memoir to read if you like the Patriots! Or if you don’t I guess.

rating: 3.5 rounded up
category: sports book

[Scott Hitchcock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*'s

Really interesting way to grow up. The rest you probably need to be a Pats fan to enjoy.

[James Kozinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Patriots Fans

Nothing earth shattering or particularly enlightening in the text, but it was still a fun read for this die hard New England Patriots fan. Probably safe to say that unless you are totally into the Patriots that the book will not speak to you.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like I'm going to give this anything less than five stars, lol.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, brave, and immensely entertaining. I'd expect nothing less than that from an NFL player who embodies all of the above.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relentless, was probably one of the best books I have ever read. The book is an autobiography written by Julian Edelman. He recounts his life, and the obstacles he faced in becoming a professional football player. I am a huge New England Patriots fan, and Julian Edelman is my favorite player. However, even if you hate this patriots I believe this an exceptional book to read.
This book, was very inspiring. Throughout the book, Edelman conveys the message of perseverance and that with work, your dreams can be achieved. No one ever told him that he was the best, he was told that he could not make the NFL over and over again. If you read this book, I know you will be inspired to never give just like Julian Edelman did.
This book is about a true story of what it takes to become a professional football player. I do not really like to read, this book however I could not put down. I think that I smiled at least one hundred times, because it really appealed to my interests. I love football, and I especially love the New England Patriots. If you are a football fan, I definitely recommend reading this book to get an insight on the life of a real professional football player.
I liked everything about this book, I recall myself reading at times, when I would usually be on my phone. This book is a definite read for all football fans, and definitely New England Patriots fans! This books is now one of my all time favorites, and I could definitely see myself reading this book for a second time. Until I read this book, I did not understand the true work ethic football players have. I dream to work as hard as Julian Edelman, and I DEFINETELY recommend reading this book, I hope you will be as inspired as I was!

[Caitlin Willwerth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Edelman, I loved his book. This book took me through Edelman's life and gave an insight into his feelings along the way because he wrote. His journey from pop warner youth football to playing for the NFL took twists and turns and gave the book its excitement and intrigue. My favorite part was when Edelman wrote about his daughter being born. The book gave insight into the real world which was enlightening as many of the books I've read this year have been fiction. I would recommend this book to any Patriot's fan or Edelman fan!

[Corinna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sta diventando una tradizione, ogni anno prima del Super Bowl leggo qualcosa sul football, anche per ingannare l'attesa nella settimana del Pro Bowl ;)
Quest'anno è toccato alla biografia di Edelman, il grande assente di questa stagione per i Patriots.. Il libro è stato un bello sguardo all'uomo dietro l'incredibile atleta (IncrEdelman!!!)

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and enjoyable! My only strong wish is that the author who read for audible.com would have doublechecked the pronunciation of players’ names. Coming across a miss pronounced was off and distracting and “took away” from things for a moment or two each time.
Thanks for sharing yourself with us Julian!

[Jackson Willi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theme: Never give up and never stop trying to do better, Julian represents this by his willing to keep going after hard setbacks and his lack of size.

[Jessica Fellows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read. Simple and to the point. Love his work ethic and that he never gives up. You also see his imperfections which as a Patriot fan you would not have believed otherwise, lol.

[Robert Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when I was in high school. A great read about a great person. Would recommend to anyone who wants to be better at what they do.

[Danielle]

Screw it, I'm rating it as a Patriots fan. This is the most biased 5 star rating I'm ever giving. Is it 5 star writing? No. Is it a 5 star story? Also, no. If you're not a Patriots fan I doubt you will like this book. But! I, a lifelong Patriots fan, loved this. Edelman is one of my favorite players and it was fun to read about his upbringing and re-live his Patriots career. It was a fun and easy read. It was nice to learn about Jules' family, especially his relationship with his dad. I really liked getting little bits and pieces about other players on the team, and I thought the addition of insight from other people/players/coaches was a nice touch.

[Matt Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book.

[Deon Bent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julian's story was very poignant from start to finish. You tend to think you know someone's story, but this showed all the perseverance & heart that he had in addition to everything he overcame.

Reading through his seasons with the Patriots as well as his perspective during Super Bowls, his personal life & his time trying to fit in was eye opening.

I loved the memories of training he had with his father and how he always strived to become better. That is truly, Relentless!

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

That is one determined dude.

[Mary Tonks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tom E. Curran does an excellent job with his first "as told to" book. I really felt like I was listening to Julian telling me his story in person up until now. What a fighter Jules is!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, I am a big Patriots fan and Julian Edelman is my favorite current player. So this book was chosen as a guilty pleasure read for me.

That being said, if you're a football fan or a fan of the underdog you might enjoy this book. I've always loved Edelman's tenacity and heart. And I knew he was a quarterback until he considered entering the NFL draft. But reading about his childhood, his love of football, and his determination through everything gave me a better understanding of him and his scrappy ways. I might love him and appreciate him more. You've gotta believe!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's decent. I didn't expect Shakespeare and that certainly isn't what this is. It's interesting to read about his daily routine and habits and how just how hard pro athletes (on as competitive a team as the Patriots) actually work year round. I think it's easy to think "Hey, I wanna be a famous athlete, how hard can it be?" but honestly, there's a reason why most people never get to that level. Few people are willing to make the personal sacrifices it takes. This book definitely explains why Edelman is where he is today.

I'd have rated it a little higher except there are (in my opinion) too many instances where he's just name dropping other players (with qualifications like so-and-so "is just a beast!" or "I love that guy!") that aren't really particularly insightful. He also just gives the play by play of a whole bunch of games with painstakingly unnecessary detail. I could have done with less of that too.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would rate this 4 stars.
In his new book, Relentless, Julian Edelman shows how no challenge is insurmountable. The current New England wide receiver has never quit and has stayed relentless pursuing his goals. At a height of 5’9” and 150 pounds going into his senior year, many thought he would not make it past the high school level. However, Edelman went on to be a two-time Super Bowl champion and has more exceptional seasons ahead of him. Despite missing this whole season due to a torn ACL, those who have read this memoir know he will be back even stronger for next season. Throughout the book, he stresses that size doesn’t hold you back in life. In my opinion, though, the main idea is that the way to achieve your goal is through hustle and heart. Time after time Edelman heard, “No. We don’t want you,” but every time he got put down he worked twice as hard to get back up, on and off the field. After reading this memoir, you will know that if you put your heart into what you are doing, you will be relentless, and you will achieve your goal. After reading this memoir you will learn that the word “heart” means more than just trying hard or setting goals, but that heart represents a mindset where you fully devote yourself to success.
Growing up in Redwood City, California, the Edelman family was accustomed to hard work. His father, Frank, displayed the work ethic he would instill in Edelman. Amendola (fellow Patriots wide receiver) told the Patriots’ media, “Julian is constantly crediting his dad for helping him become the football player that he is today” (Palma). Julian appreciates all the wild drills his dad put him through and will not have that go unappreciated or noticed. Edelman still talks about the drills which would prepare him for his future NFL coach, “He would tape one arm behind my back or he’d make me use one arm, and he’d have my sister or my buddy Kurt throw little tennis balls at my face while he would get to the top of a press box at our high school. He would punt the balls from there because he couldn’t get them high enough while standing on the ground and I’d have to catch them” (Yang). As Edelman progressed to high school he still was not a standout player. His junior year ended early again with an injury and he would have to fight for his starting spot the following year. Of course, Julian worked even harder leading up to the season and earned the starting spot. That season his team went 13-0 and he was chosen player of the year. However, because of his size, Edelman still did not attract enough coach’s attention and decided to go to junior college. There, he beat out his competition and became the player of the year again. After that season, many division one coaches wanted him to come to their school after another year of junior college. He got only one division one offer from Kent State and accepted it. Following a few good seasons, some NFL coaches wanted to see Edelman workout for them. During this time period, Edelman worked out every second of every day and ate perfectly. Despite being impressive, Oakland’s coach said, “Talented, but he is just too slow and too small” (Edelman). Surprising, the New England Patriots drafted him in the seventh round. Each season Edelman had to work his butt off to find a way to get on the field and to stay on the team. Eventually, he became the go-to wide receiver and established himself as an unstoppable force. Edelman won two Super Bowls and was a crucial piece in both of those seasons.
Relentless gives many reasons why no one needs to believe in you except yourself. At times, Edelman thought he could be cut the next day, so he headed back to work with his dad in the car shop. Julian says, “Charlie Frye would joke with me and say, ‘Come on Edelman, no mayonnaise or soda you can’t even have that?’” (Edelman). The little things that most people ignore are the things that Julian would stay true to on a daily basis. He would create a schedule and stay true to it. The process of greatness was what mattered to Julian since he was not naturally talented. Throughout the book, Julian really stressed his process. “On Super Bowl Sunday I was up by six a.m. Bobby Cole, who took over for JJ as equipment assistant and my personal tennis ball-drill coordinator, needed to be at the stadium by seven thirty, so he and I went to the hotel parking garage and ran through my workout” (Edelman). I think Edelman does a good job of showing that just because the atmosphere of the game changes, the actual game does not change. Football is football and his warmup is the same whether it is Super Bowl Sunday or freshman year on Friday night.
“During the season, I don’t spend much time with them, and sometimes I can be an asshole because I’m so focused on what I have to do. It goes back to balance, how I feel I can’t have it if I want to do well.” (Edelman). I believe you truly achieve a new level once you are willing to cut off your family in order to be successful. A ton of people would disagree with these methods, but at the same time, a ton of people never come close to their dreams.
Edelman’s book is so good because it’s simple, honest, and very passionate. He never makes himself seem very special or above anyone. Simply, he states how he does the right thing and is relentless in his work ethic. Too often, kids think that they need basic God-given gifts such as size or a personal trainer, but Edelman disproves them and makes it seem like anyone can do anything they want. The straightforward theme and simple syntax make it so that anyone can read his book and relate. If you fully devote yourself and put your heart and head into your motives, you will be successful.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Patriot's fan, so this was a perfect read during the Playoffs this year. It was basically, his football life story from beginning to Super bowl LI. No drama, just football.

[Lee Rosenwink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reads like a conversation at light speed 👌🏻

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: IF YOU HATE ME, YOU HATE ME, BUT I KNOW YOU’RE GOING TO RESPECT ME BECAUSE I’M GOING TO LAY IT ON THE LINE
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There’s no other way to start this review of multiple-Super-Bowl-Champion-New England Patriot-Julian Edelman… except at unrelenting… take no prisoner… accept no excuses… hold on to my coattails… and dedicate yourself to greatness… or get the holy hell out of my way… and you may as well get off my team… if you don’t like it… WAAARRRPPPP-SPEEEEED!

Oh yea…. And don’t forget… one of the holiest family mantras… for the Edelman’s… and mine… **NO SNIVELING**!!

Julian’s storytelling starts fast… and remains fast… from start to finish. Coming from a family that had nothing… and having never been blessed with physical size… in a game… that is tilted heavily in the direction of behemoths… Julian (and his siblings) were always told…. Actually ordered… to never snivel… and keep working harder than anyone else.

Edelman’s Father… Frank… worked Julian non-stop… regardless of the sport… baseball… basketball… football… regardless of the season… with the rage of a dictator. At times the two would go at each other… snarling… and even with baseball’s being thrown at each other. As they both said… (and I wholeheartedly agree)… though in today’s milk-toast-politically-correct society… Frank probably would have been arrested. The same could be said of my family… but that’s the way many people that want what you have accomplished… without having to have paid the same price… view this “you-can’t-hold-me-down-street-fighting-mentality”… this roughly-beautiful-poetic… innate desire and commitment… view this kind of dedicated-drive… when they look from the outside… in! This book… is about more than just being successful in sports… it’s about… a desire… and dedication… to being successful in anything in life. A potential reader… would have to be blind… to not grasp immediately… that no matter how “under-sized” Julian was growing up… his backbone… and heart… were bigger than ten goliaths added together.

At every level… Pop Warner… High School… Junior College… College… the Pro’s… Julian never lost an ounce of that burning… fiery… uncontrollable… fury… to be the best. The whole story is intriguing and told at breakneck speed… as at almost every level… there were people on… or involved… with the team… that were simply accepting… mediocrity… and losing seasons. Julian Edelman… was definitely not… the lit match… that you wanted to drop into such a bucket of losing gasoline.

As Edelman said to his Patriot teammates at halftime of Super Bowl L1… when New England was losing 21-3… regarding how the second half was going to transpire… “IT’S GONNA BE A HELLUVA STORY, BOYS!”…

And so is… this entire book *RELENTLESS*… and what a perfect title.

There’s so much more I can share with you regarding individual games and statistics… and famous names… but the point of this book… can be summarized more importantly from my heart. I was raised that *LIFE ISN’T FAIR*… and so was Julian… so you find ways to “fuel yourself… with… positive-hate”… so you never stop raging… and fighting back. If there ever was a self-help-book… disguised as a football story this is it…
And believe it or not… I am not a Patriot fan… but I love the Patriots… from the owner Robert Kraft… to Coach Belichick… because of the way they run a team… and they run it in an otherwise out of control sports environment… where the clowns… are running the circus… but not in New England… and what a perfect home… for the epitome… of over-achieving… Julian Edelman.

[Zavien Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a huge fan of the NFL you know the patriots had a dynasty franchise. They won 6 superbowls with Tom Brady as their quarterback. There were more players than Tom that made this team legendary such as Rob Gronkowski, Danny Amendola, Randy Moss for a little bit, and three time superbowl champion and one time superbowl MVP Julian Edleman. Reading Relentless by Julian Edleman allowed me to see what got Julian into the NFL and what challenges he faced along the way to become the player he was before he retired, overall I would rate this book a 5/5 from an athletes perspective.
Going into highschool he was standing at roughly 5 feet tall while everyone else was growing, however he was determined to be the best he could be. By giving it his all on and off the field, coaches noticed that despite his height he can make a larger impact than every other athlete. He lead his high school football team to an undefeated season his senior year proving that his size wasn’t a problem. Instead of going straight to college footbal he went to San Mateo and junior college (JUCO) where he faced some injuries but ended up giving them a winning season which they haven’t seen in a while. All the while he was at quarterback, then he went to Kent State and showed that his height was never a problem by taking a team that was fine with losing all the time to finally having a winning record. He was their starter for 3 years and team captain in 2008.
After his time at San Mateo and Kent State he had been through some rough injuries, but making full recoveries. He had his pro day which is where NFL teams send scouts to look at players who weren’t invited to the NFL combine. He had the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, and Chicago Bears all interested in him as their quarterback. The Patriots didnt take notice of him until closer to the draft. On draft day he had slipped to the 7th round which is towards the end. The Green Bay Packers had reached out to him saying they would sign him as an undrafted free agent (UFA). He wasn’t happy about it, but he had come to terms with it, until the patriots called him and told Julian they were selecting him as the 232nd overall pick.
Overall this book would be inspirational to anyone who plays a sport wether they play football or not. His story shows that no matter what challenges that may occur if you have faith in yourself and if you really want it, you can do anything. It is also just a good book for NFL fans to read to really get an idea of what pro athletes have to go through and that it’s not as easy as people may think. I would recommend this book to athletes who are starting their high school career so they can grasp how much work needs to be put in to their sport if they want to make it big. The book includes statements from people who influenced Julians life and career from coaches to best friends which really helps the reader understand Julians life.

[Michael Ventresca · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In order to achieve, you have to be willing to be pushed by the people who are trying to help you get to where you want to go.” A 2017 tale of dedication and hard work, the autobiography “Relentless: A Memoir” by Julian Edelman (with Tom E. Curran) describes an unorthodox yet inspiring journey to the NFL. The co-author Julian Edelman has been a New England Patriots wide receiver since 2009, playing in three Super Bowls amongst other accolades. The co-author Tom E. Curran is a Boston journalist who has covered the New England Patriots since 1997 while working for the MetroWest Daily News, the Providence Journal, and NBC Sports. He also co-hosts the CSN New England’s Boston Sports Tonight and appears frequently on other football media shows. The book is divided into chapters with some short breaks to give the input of Julian’s family, friends, coaches, and teammates. These inputs provide great insight into the way Julian was perceived by the people he interacted: a fierce, dedicated competitor, but also an outstanding person and an even better friend.
The book starts with a fresh memory of one of Julian’s greatest achievements in the NFL, but then flashes back to his childhood and details his journey from always being told he was too short to then slowly becoming a stud in the NFL. This journey starts retelling his pee-wee football days with his dad pushing him to be the best he can be. It then goes on to tell of his days playing high school football and coming into his own at the qb position. He played QB in junior college and then at Kent State University as well. However, when it came time to prepare for the NFL draft, he changed his position to receiver because of his size. In 2009, he was drafted late in the 7th round by the New England Patriots but his struggle was far from over. He battled through multiple injuries, disappointing losses, roster competition and other dilemmas throughout the course of his 4-year rookie contract. In the off-season of 2013 he signed an extension of one year. The following season (2013-2014) he had a breakout year with 100+ catches and 1000+ yards for the first time in his career. After that, the Patriots offered him a 4-year deal worth $19 million which Julian accepted with much enthusiasm. After that season came many playoff triumphs, multiple Super Bowls, and outstanding postseason plays by Julian.
The story is a testament to the achievements that can be accomplished by sheer will power and never giving up on your dreams. The cover of the book captures Julian’s fierceness which is a great part of his personality. This is an excellent autobiographical adventure filled with lots of great quotes and life lessons. If you enjoy a good underdog story or are just in the mood to be inspired, I would definitely recommend reading this book.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's begin with me looking up the definition of relentless: "oppressively constant; incessant( "continuing without pause or interruption")." Appropriate title is appropriate. Just when you think you know football you read a Memoir by a player you know little to nothing about and are left feeling like you also know little to nothing about football. Whereas he lives and breathes the sport you are a casual fan. Discovering his work ethic and never give up attitude and basically an eff the haters approach to everything, Julian did what it took to not only make it to the NFL, but make it under the wings of Bill Belichik and Tom Brady.

Reading a book about a Patriot, as a Giants fan was interesting. I put my allegiance aside and just took in all that Julian had to say. I even squee'd at the what might have been finding out he did indeed talk to the Giants seriously when his contract with the Pats was up; but he knew in his heart he was born and bred to be a Patriot and that Boston was his city even if he came from California like his bff; Tom Brady.

Not only did I get a good perspective of Julian in this book I got impressions of his Father, Brother, Sister, and fellow players like Tom Brady, and Rob Gronkowski. Even a small hindsight of the human disaster that was Aaron Hernandez- little did I know he could play football. Julian makes him sound like a likable person, but having the hand up on history and real life- such an unfortunate ending for him.

And I will also admit, Julian is one hell of a storyteller. I was gripped on his every word. I even took a pen to the book (I can hear people cringing to this fact) and underlined quotes and things I wished to go back through and look at again.

I know you need to be a special kind of person to read a book like this, but if a diehard Giants fan like me can read this, and like and appreciate the guy- anyone can.

The moral of his entire story I pretty much pictured the Little Engine that Could. He thought he could and he did, no matter what his size and the obstacles and naysayers in his way.