Patriots

How did a Reddit user beat everyone to the news about Julian Edelman’s suspension?

“You’re about to feel really stupid tomorrow when this is national news but okay :).”

Julian Edelman Patriots
Julian Edelman puts on his helmet while walking onto the field for practice. Aram Boghosian for The Boston Globe

By The Boston Globe

While news of Julian Edelman’s pending four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy became headline news on Thursday, rumor of the ban first appeared on a Reddit Patriots message board Wednesday night.

The day before ESPN reported Edelman’s suspension, a user who goes by the handle Redditlover1981 posted this rumor to Reddit: “Rumor: Edelman potentially getting suspended for 4 games for PED’s.”

When other Reddit users questioned the validity of the rumor and the sources involved, Redditlover1981 countered with: “You’re about to feel really stupid tomorrow when this is national news but okay :).”

Sure enough, ESPN broke the story Thursday afternoon, citing league sources.

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So, who is Redditlover1981, how was the poster privvy to confidential information regarding a failed NFL drug test, and how did the poster know the news would break Thursday?

That’s a developing story unto itself.

Edelman is appealing the suspension. The receiver, who is returning from a torn ACL that cost him the 2017 season, has taken part in the Patriots’ offseason workouts.