AOL Exclusive: Julian Edelman remembers Junior Seau, speaks about new NFL concussion protocol

By JOHN DORN

The New England Patriots are about to kick off what should be the most interesting quest to defend a championship the league has ever seen. Amidst seemingly never-ending drama involving Tom Brady, Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell, it's easy to overlook the fact that New England figures to content for another title in Super Bowl 50 -- and wide receiver Julian Edelman is a big piece to the puzzle.

AOL spoke with Edelman recently to discuss his new role as the face of NFL Apparel's men's line. You can read the full Q&A here. In addition to discussing his new role, the 29-year-old opened up his brief time as Hall of Famer Junior Seau's teammate in New England.

Edelman entered the NFL in 2009 -- which was Seau's last year in the league before retiring. The linebacker didn't accomplish much on the field -- just nine tackles in seven games as a 40-year-old. But his impact in the locker room an behind the scenes was immeasurable.

Edelman recalls one particular scene from the beginning of his rookie campaign with New England.

"I was taking my parents out for the very first time in Boston -- this nice restaurant -- and Junior is there," he said. "He takes time out of his dinner to come and talk to my folks and tell them how they've done a great job of raising me. It's stuff like that that makes Junior a great guy."

Growing up in California, Edelman says he grew up a fan of the longtime Chargers linebacker. Spending a year on the same roster, he says, was "unreal."

"The guy is playing forever, and he goes up to you the first day and he calls you Buddy Buddy and makes you feel comfortable," he said. "One of the best football players I've ever played with. It was a privilege and an honor for me to get to play with him."

Another frequent point of discussion entering this season is yet another tweak to the NFL's concussion protocol -- potentially stemming directly from an incident involving Edelman in the Super Bowl.

Edelman absorbed a head-to-head hit in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks, and remained in the game despite appearing dazed.

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This season, concussion spotters will not of the authority to stop a game if they deem a player is showing concussion symptoms on the field -- a twist that's being referred to as the Julian Edelman Rule. And while the rule lends itself to interruptions of game flow and tempo, the rule's namesake understands the end goal by the league.

"The NFL is gonna do what they always feel is best for the safety of the player. It makes it a safer game. there's always pros to it, so we'll see how it goes," he said. "It's still new. It's gonna be different, but we always adjust. I think it'll be alright."

Edelman hasn't practiced since Tuesday with an injury that the Patriots haven't disclosed, but Bill Belichick has labeled the receiver "day-to-day." New England opens its preseason slate on Aug. 13 against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium.

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