Edelman won't detail 2018 suspension, says 'people don't know what happened'

New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman - who was suspended for the first four games of the 2018 season after violating the NFL's policy against performance-enhancing drugs - insists there's more to the four-game ban than meets the eye, but he refuses to discuss it in detail.

"People don't know what happened," Edelman told NBC Sports' Peter King. "I can't sit here and (due to) the league rules say what happened."

NFL players do have the freedom to discuss a suspension, according to King, but it could've left Edelman open to a league challenge if he alleged something it disagrees with.

King also asked the 32-year-old if he felt the suspension was unjust.

"I'm not going down that road," Edelman said. "I served what I had to serve and I accept that. I know a lot of people were disappointed in me for it. I apologize. It'll never happen again."

While the Super Bowl MVP has moved on, he credited his family and focus for his ability to rebound and elevate his game.

"When (the suspension) happened, I had a strong corner behind me," Edelman said. "My father and I kind of just sat back and said, 'All right, we have a problem here. What's this problem? Let's make sure this never happens again. Let's own up to it. Let's take your penalty like a man, regardless of the circumstances.' ... From this whole thing, I've learned that you've just got to stay in your routine, and you've just got to work your way out of it."

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