Former New England Patriots receiver Julian Edelman had way too much fun in his younger years at Jerry Rice’s home when the 49ers’ icon wasn’t present.
During a recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce, Edelman recalled dating Rice’s daughter, Jaqui, in high school and how he would sneak into Rice’s office at their family home.
“She took me to her prom. I did wear those Super Bowl rings. Sorry Jer,” Edelman said. “I used to go in his office all the time. He was never home. So, I’d be over there playing with Super Bowl balls. I saw jerseys.”
Edelman — who retired after the 2020 season with three Super Bowl rings of his own with the Patriots — explained why Rice, his idol growing up, was extremely intimidating.
“It was crazy,” he said. “Jerry Rice, bro. I was a Bay Area kid. He was a f–king legend. It was so crazy, and they had such a cool house. Man.
“The first time I met him, the dude came out yoked up, six-packed up with his chain on, dreads that are starting back here,” Edelman said, pointing to the back of his head. “He was old Jerry by then. Oakland Jerry. He intimidated the f–k out of me. Which I understand, I have a daughter. I’m a father of one.”
Edelman and Swedish model Ella Rose welcomed their daughter Lilly in 2016. They are not believed to be dating currently.
Jaqui told TMZ in 2019 that Rice “wasn’t always the nicest” to Edelman.
“I guess that’s understandable because he’s my dad, you know?” she said.
“I think [Julian] was a little intimidated by my dad growing up.”
Jaqui, who is the CEO of her father’s Goal Fuel energy drink company, explained that she and Edelman grew up together.
“This goes a while back,” she said. “I’ve known Julian since we were kids. He played Pop Warner football, I was a Pop Warner cheerleader.”
Jaqui added that she and Edelman attended several other school dances together despite not attending the same high school.
That’s all water under the bridge now.
During an appearance on the “No Chill with Gilbert Arenas” podcast, Edelman said he’s still close with Rice and his family.
“The family was awesome,” he said. “They were all cool, and still friends of this day.
“When I got to the league afterwards, we developed a relationship. It became cool. I still see him at the [Kentucky] Derby here and there. I see him out and about, and he’s been real cool as of late.”
Edelman and Rice attended the Kentucky Derby together in 2017.
The former Pro Bowl wideout also told Arenas he was “terrified” of Rice when they first met.
“I remember the first time I came over and Jerry came out with his chain on — no shirt, six packed up — and just gave me a head nod,” he said. “And that was like the last time we talked in like two years. It was scary.”
Edelman matched Rice’s three Super Bowl titles during his 12-year NFL career with New England.
He finished his career with 6,822 receiving yards, which was nowhere near Rice’s 22,895.
Rice still holds the record for most career receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns.