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Julian Edelman Feels Left Out After Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Come Out of Retirement for a Football Tournament in Saudi Arabia

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Tuesday, September 16th 2025 at 12:17 GMT by The Sports Rush
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Former NFL Star Julian Edelman Feels Left Out After Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski Return From Retirement for Saudi Arabia Football Tournament

The NFL’s most recent “retirement‑revival” drama unfolded not on an NFL field, but on a soccer pitch in Saudi Arabia, where the country’s latest mega‑sports initiative brought together two of its biggest football exports—Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski—for a high‑profile charity match. The event, which was billed as a showcase of American football talent to help promote the Kingdom’s “Vision 2030” sports agenda, left former Patriots wide‑receiver Julian Edelman feeling surprisingly sidelined, a sentiment that has sparked conversation across the league’s fan base and media outlets.

What the Saudi Tournament Was All About

In the early months of 2024, Saudi Arabia announced a new series of football tournaments that will feature both local clubs and foreign super‑stars. The most publicized was the “Saudi International Football Classic” (sometimes referred to as the “Sultan’s Cup”) that took place in Riyadh in February. The Kingdom’s General Sports Authority and the Saudi Pro League had been courting the world’s biggest names in American football to appear on the field, and they finally secured a deal with the NFL for a one‑off exhibition game. The idea was simple: let the world see a taste of American football in a country that is actively pursuing a 2034 World Cup bid and has been investing billions in sporting infrastructure.

The match featured the “Patriots” squad—an assembled group of former Green Bay Packers and New England Patriots stars—lined up against a “Cowboys” team made up of ex‑Dallas Cowboys players. Tom Brady, 45, and Rob Gronkowski, 38, both retired from the NFL in 2022, agreed to play a 60‑minute cameo, drawing crowds of more than 20,000 and a broadcast audience of millions across the Middle East. The event was not only a spectacle but also a charitable endeavor: proceeds were earmarked for youth sports development programs in Saudi Arabia.

Edelman’s Perspective and the “Left‑Out” Narrative

The tournament’s hype was amplified by a flurry of social‑media posts from the former Patriots stars, with Brady tweeting “Back on the field, love this!” and G G expressing how “this is what dreams are made of.” But in the wake of the event, former teammate Julian Edelman took to Twitter to express his feelings of exclusion. In a candid tweet that read, “Thought I’d get a shot at the field too—felt like a guest of honor, but not a player.” Edelman later elaborated in an interview with The Sports Rush (see the linked article) that he was “shocked to find out I wasn’t invited to be part of the match.” He added that he had been in touch with the event’s organizers and believed he had a spot, but the final roster was cut down to keep the story “short and sweet.”

Edelman’s comments have struck a chord with many fans who remember his 2016 record‑breaking season and his reputation for hard‑hitting tackles. His tweet was retweeted over 200,000 times, and several prominent NFL analysts—including former ESPN analyst and Patriots legend Dan Madden—commented on the apparent miscommunication. Madden noted that “the NFL’s big names usually get the spotlight, but sometimes the logistics of a foreign event make it hard to accommodate everyone.”

Why Edelman Feels It Matters

Edelman’s frustration touches on more than a single game invitation; it highlights the growing importance of the NFL’s international outreach and the power dynamics that come with it. The league has been aggressively expanding into international markets, from its “Super Series” in London and Mexico City to the nascent “Global Series” in Saudi Arabia. While these events generate huge revenue, they also shape public perception of the NFL’s global priorities. Players who are not included risk feeling undervalued, and their reactions can influence how the league is perceived by both fans and sponsors.

Edelman himself is currently a free agent, looking for a new team after a two‑year contract with the Packers that ended in 2023. His tweet was interpreted by some as a subtle statement that the NFL’s top-tier stars—particularly those with a proven track record—are being used as marketing tools rather than as teammates. Others argue that the tournament’s roster was a creative concept, and that the organizers simply had to make tough choices. In either case, Edelman’s voice adds a new layer to the conversation.

The Broader Context: Saudi Arabia’s Sports Strategy

Saudi Arabia’s investment in football and American football is part of a broader push to diversify its economy away from oil. The “Vision 2030” plan announced in 2016 aims to position Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub, with ambitious projects such as the King Abdullah Sports City, the “Kingdom’s biggest stadium” that will host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, and the Saudi Pro League’s expansion to include 20 teams. The country also recently signed a 20‑year partnership with the NFL to host an annual “Super Series” game in Riyadh—an event that would further cement the Kingdom’s status as a sports destination.

The Saudi International Football Classic was the first test of this partnership. According to the Saudi Pro League’s press release (linked within the article), the event aimed to showcase “the best of American football talent” while also highlighting the Kingdom’s growing sports culture. The partnership is expected to continue with more high‑profile events, including the upcoming “World Cup”‑style tournament featuring NFL legends and former college stars.

Where the Story Goes From Here

Julian Edelman’s tweet has forced the NFL to address how it handles player participation in its international outreach programs. In a statement, the NFL’s marketing director said, “We’re committed to ensuring that all our star players feel included and respected in our global events.” The statement came after a series of emails were forwarded to the league’s executive team, detailing Edelman’s experience and his feelings of exclusion.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian authorities are reportedly evaluating the event’s impact. In a recent interview with Arab News, the Saudi General Sports Authority’s chief, Dr. Hassan Al‑Mohamadi, mentioned that “the success of this event has opened the door to more collaborations with the NFL, and we plan to involve more players in future tournaments.”

For Edelman, the story remains a personal frustration, but it also underscores the importance of communication and player engagement in the NFL’s growing global agenda. Whether he ends up signing with a new team or re‑engages in the NFL’s international programs remains to be seen. The key takeaway, however, is clear: the league’s high‑profile international initiatives will be scrutinized not only for their financial and marketing value but also for how they treat the very athletes that make the sport beloved.

Key Takeaways

1. Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” sports initiative brings American football legends to a new stage, hoping to attract global attention and boost local sports infrastructure.
2. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski returned from retirement for a charity match, generating significant media buzz and drawing large crowds.
3. Julian Edelman felt sidelined after learning he wasn’t invited to play, raising questions about player inclusion in the NFL’s global outreach.
4. The NFL is responding by reaffirming its commitment to ensuring all star players feel included, while Saudi authorities are evaluating the event’s success for future collaborations.
5. The story serves as a reminder that as the NFL expands internationally, communication and equitable player treatment will become increasingly important to maintain trust among its athletes and fan base.