One of the most decorated and famous athletes to ever take the field as a Golden Flash appears to be hanging up his cleats.

Former New England Patriot, three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl LIII MVP (the first Jewish Super Bowl MVP) Julian Edelman announced his retirement from professional football Monday.

Edelman transferred to Kent State from the College of San Mateo, a community college near his home town of Woodbridge, California.

The retirement announcement came in the form of a four minute Twitter video with the caption “Foxboro Forever.”

Football fans celebrated Edelman’s career and legacy on social media, none more so than those in the KSU football program.

KSU football coach Sean Lewis tweeted twice about Edelman Monday night. The first tweet was a congratulations, and the second was a reply to statements from Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Bob Kraft.

“If you want to play at the highest level, aspire to be described in this manner,” Lewis wrote. “Constantly improving, accountable and tough. No wonder he performed on the biggest stage consistently.”

Though known to most for his receiving ability, Edelman started at quarterback for three years for the Flashes from 2006 to 2008.

However, Edelman did not graduate until 2019, when he returned to Kent State to receive his bachelor’s degree in integrative studies.

In the 31 games he played at Kent State, Edelman racked up 7,480 total yards and 52 total touchdowns, both good for fourth best in program history.

Prior to current Flashes’ quarterback Dustin Crum’s breakout 2019 season, Edelman had the most productive single season in KSU history. Crum’s 3,329 total yards edged out Edelman’s 3,190.

Edelman is one of the best slot receivers of the modern NFL. He has the second most postseason catches in NFL history with 118 and finishes his career with 8,264 receiving yards and 46 total touchdowns.

Only time will tell what is next for Edelman, who departs New England after his contract was terminated due to a “failed physical” according to ESPN.

Owen MacMillan is a sports editor. Contact him at [email protected].