GOAT-on-GOAT Gambling: Michael Jordan Offered Ominous Advice to Julian Edelman Before Patriots' Super Bowl

Former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman bumped into Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan before Super Bowl XLIX ... with a surprising interaction.

Every kid that has thrown on a football jersey has dreamed of being a hero with the world watching. Scoring the game-winning touchdown, getting soaked in Gatorade, hoisting the Lombardi Trophy—it’s the biggest moments that draw our attention.

For a lucky few, competing in a Super Bowl becomes a reality, and so does the pressure that comes with it. But what about a pressure even more daunting than football’s biggest stage?

For that, former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman has a fascinating story to tell.

On his podcast, “Games With Names,” Edelman spoke about his experience before Super Bowl XLIX and a crazy interaction with two of sports' biggest stars. And one of their wagers on Tom Brady and New England ...

Crazy story - #Patriots WR Julian @Edelman11 shares a story about how he ran into Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter a week before the 2014 Super Bowl... after saying Hello, Jordan grabbed Edelman and told him:

"Hey kid, I got a bunch of money on you... don't f**k it up!"

(h/t… pic.twitter.com/dKG9WXbcdw

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 19, 2023

“The week before the Super Bowl I took my folks to dinner,” Edelman said. “Roll up and I see Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan. I’m like super star-struck, I’m about to play in the Super Bowl, and I go up. You can tell Jeter’s a very charming guy, welcoming.

“I go, ‘Mr. Jeter, Julian Edelman, I’m playing in the Super Bowl,’ and I saw Jordan, he was kind of standoffish a little bit.”

Jordan, of course, has some championship experience in his own right, winning all six of his NBA Finals appearances en route to one of the most accomplished careers in basketball history. He didn’t exactly offer Edelman words of wisdom.

“As soon as the conversation is about to end, like five minutes in, I’m about to leave, Jordan comes up to me, he goes ‘Hey kid, I’ve got a bunch of money on you.’

“‘Don’t (bleep) up.’”

Edelman responded the only way he could.

“Yes sir, Mr. Jordan.”

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The young receiver managed to live up to Jordan’s lofty expectations. He caught nine of his 12 targets for 109 yards and a score. His touchdown was a crucial one, coming with 2:02 remaining—the game’s final score, just minutes before perhaps the most famous interception in league history.

The Patriots beat the Seattle Seahawks 28-24.

All’s well that ends well, right? Edelman got his ring, Jordan got his bag, and the football world got to hear the story almost a decade later.

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