Julian Edelman discovered the extent to Kyle Shanahan’s love of football while in the bathroom at the Super Bowl. It led to a hilarious story on the set of Fox NFL Kickoff.
Edelman, who retired from the NFL in 2020 after 12 years with the New England Patriots, was asked on Sunday morning about the coaching staff that has earned his appreciation. He went with Shanahan and the (at the time 5-0) San Francisco 49ers.
And then he dove into his very limited, but hysterically funny experience with the 43-year-old head coach. They ran into each other at Super Bowl LII in 2018.
Edelman relieving his bladder in the bathroom. A man came up next to him and started talking about a very specific whip route that he ran on a very specific play during Super Bowl LI a year prior in 2017.
Edelman was confused.
I’m like, what is this guy doing? I’m “full-out” and everything. I’m like, what are we doing here? What are we doing?!
— Julian Edelman
As Edelman turned back around to wash his hands, the man approached him at the sink and asked the injured wide receiver if he knew who he is. Edelman did not.
I go “we had a couple drinks.” You know, we all had a little drinks!
— Julian Edelman
At that point, Shanahan asked again if Edelman knew who he was. He still did not and politely tried to move on from the conversation.
I go “uhhhhh, I’m good dude.” I’m washing my hands.
— Julian Edelman
And then it clicked! It was Shanahan, who was in his second year as head coach of the 49ers at the time.
Edelman and Shanahan were “bare knuckle Barry” in the bathroom at the Super Bowl, and the latter was trying to discuss a single play from 365 days prior with the former. Hilarious!
The story led to a series of jokes from the NFL Kickoff crew. Charles Woodson had the one-liner of the day.
Whip routes and whip outs!
— Charles Woodson
Peter Schrager loved it. Mike Vick was in on the fun.
Even Charissa Thompson was doubled over laughing!
Kyle Shanahan loves football!