Julian Edelman apologized to Atlanta Falcons cornerback after Super Bowl 51 catch

Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Robert Alford has his hands all over Super Bowl 51 on Feb. 5 at NRG Stadium.

Despite a bat of the football, he couldn't put his finger on the play of the game. With about 2:24 remaining, the New England Patriots trailed the Atlanta Falcons 28-20. That's when quarterback Tom Brady stepped back from his own 36 yard line and let one sail. The heave landed near Julian Edelman and three Falcons defenders. After leaping and tipping the football, Alford recovered to find an outstretched Edelman still battling to make a reception. Edelman dove over and landed on Alford and eventually secured one of the most clutch catches in Super Bowl history.

Edelman and Brady were equipped with microphones during the performance and profiled on NFL.com's Sound FX.

"I caught it. I caught it," Edelman said immediately after making the grab.

"I caught it. Crazy I swear to God," Edelman told Falcons cornerback Brian Poole as he watched the NRG Stadium Jumbotron.

"No way, look at that," Poole told Edelman.

"That's crazy. My bad," Edelman told Alford as he lined up for the next play.

Edelman had five catches for 87 yards, including the 23-yard reception of the game, in the Patriots' 34-28 overtime victory.