Edelman on unforgettable catch: 'I knew I had it'

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman never doubted himself, even as his team trailed by 25 points during the third quarter of Super Bowl LI versus the Atlanta Falcons.

The Patriots rallied from behind to win 34-28 in overtime, marking the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. Edelman made a superlative catch with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, trapping the ball at the last second before it could hit the ground.

After pulling off a play that will forever live in football lore, Edelman said he knew he secured the ball just in time.

"I knew I had it," Edelman said to The MMQB's Jenny Vrentas.

"No one knows what the rule for a catch is," he added.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick complimented Edelman for his tenacity, after the wide receiver racked up five receptions for 87 yards during Super Bowl LI.

"He's really as good of a competitor as anybody I've coached,” Belichick said of Edelman. "This guy, he’s played slot defensive back for us, returns kicks, covers kicks, blocks, catches tough passes, runs the ball for us on sweeps, and stuff like that. He does whatever it takes."

Edelman's relentless self-belief will likely be lionized in Boston and its surrounding areas for years to come.

"There’s something we say around here: You gotta believe," Edelman said. "And that's what we kept on saying. You gotta believe; you gotta believe; you gotta believe."