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Julian Edelman took on a different type of strategy when it came to making his fantasy football picks this year.
The three-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriots wide receiver eschewed the usual draft picks this season in favor of a team-up with sleep aid brand Unisom, for what they’re calling his “Sleeper Pickz.”
The play on words is a nod to Unisom’s over-the-counter sleep aid, which promises to help you fall asleep — and stay asleep — without any grogginess in the morning. Edelman says he was drawn to the partnership after having struggled with sleep throughout his career as an NFL player. The 2018 Super Bowl MVP said he quickly learned that good sleep was crucial for his success on the field, something he’s also applying to his new jobs as a broadcaster and dad.
“As a dad, sometimes when you are in the car all day, dropping and driving the kids around and fully daddy day care, you need that quality sleep to be on top of your game just like in my playing days,” he tells Rolling Stone.“My moto has been, whether playing or as a dad, Ineed to start the day off right and in using Unisom I’m able to focus on the quality of my sleep to do that.”
Edelman says he now needs a proper night of rest to be on top of his game, whether it’s recovering from working out or being at his best for those early mornings with the little one. But the football star is also extending that message to fantasy football, teaming up with Unisom to help fans make “sound draft picks that’ll keep them sound asleep all season long.”
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In his unofficial research, Edelman says four out of five fantasy players have complained about poor sleep due to the tossing and turning on making the right decision.Unisom, he touts, has been a great solution to that problem, helping him get through those restless nights.
“When anyone asks me about my health routine, the number one thing is it all comes down to ensuring I prioritize my sleep,” he says.“When I focus on my sleep, my body is producing its best hormones, and helps my brain, muscles and my mind recover.”
The partnership rolled out earlier this month on social media, with Edelman releasing his top fantasy football picks, along with under-the-radar “sleeper picks” for the season. The players he’s got his eye on: Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden; Tampa Bay’s Emeka Egbuka; and the Patriots’ DeMario “Pop” Douglas, to name just a few. Edelman also says he “wouldn’t be upset” if this was finally the year the Buffalo Bills won the Super Bowl.
“I know first hand the stress that fantasy football causes, leaving you tossing and turning all night long,” the athlete says in a press release. “That’s why I’m excited to partner with Unisom. Just like their SleepTabshelp you fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night, I’m here to help fans rest easier by taking the guesswork out of their fantasy drafts, so they can wake up recharged and ready to dominate their league.”
Unisom says partnering with Edelman was a no-brainer, calling him someone with “pro-level insight” and a “sharp eye for talent.” They’re no doubt hoping his influence extends to increasing awareness and sales of their sleep aids too.
“Partnering withJulian Edelman, who knows what it takes to make game-winning picks, allows us to connect with football fans in a fun, relevant way–reinforcing that even during fantasy season, good sleep is a winning strategy,” says Nimit Bansal, Brand Lead, Personal Care & Sleep at Unisom. “We believe the power of a magical night’s sleep leads to better performance, whether you’re setting your lineup or tackling a hectic week.”
