Tedy Bruschi: A Tribute to the Patriots Legend
There are very few players that get to play their entire career in one place, and those who do are considered very lucky. If they produce enough of an impact and impart enough of a legacy, the fans are even luckier than the player. Tedy Bruschi made me, and all of Patriot nation, extremely lucky.
After being an All-American at the University of Arizona, Tedy Bruschi was picked by the New England Patriots in the 1996 NFL Draft in the third round by Bill Parcells. He established his playoff successes early by recording two sacks during Super Bowl XXXI in his rookie season. He steadily improved his role on the Patriots team every single year. He began appearing in every single game, and by 1999 he was starting in every game (minus two when he was nursing a knee injury). By the year 2000, Bruschi had played for three different coaches in his short NFL career, and his numbers dipped slightly in the 2001 season. However, as a one of the few constants during the Patriots tumultuous coaching carousel, he was voted a captain of the defense in 2002. It was in this role that he receives most praise from ex-Patriots beat writer Greg Bedard, "the locker room police officer," is what he gets referred to by Bedard. He was constantly making sure that players on both sides of the ball were being held accountable.
It was in 2003 however, that Bruschi began his best years. He started every single game, was second on the team in tackles, and was once again a Defensive team captain. He continued this trend and phenomenal playoff performances until after the 2005 season when the captain suffered a stroke just days after playing in the Pro Bowl. This is where the real Tedy Bruschi legend begins, and that is saying a lot after being such a perennial force as a Pro-Bowler on defense.
Tedy said he would sit the 2005 season out. Some questioned if he would ever return to the game since the stroke immediately left him with a hobbled gate and limited vision. However, when doctors cleared him to play in October, he was practicing days later... in 2005. He continued his career playing at a high level, was named Comeback Player of the Year, and retired as a New England Patriot. Leaving us as one lucky fan base.
Bill Belichick could not say enough about Bruschi as a player. He first-down stopping tackle was the most important play of the season according to Belichick. In addition to that Belichick says the following:
Patirots' owner Robert Kraft echoed Coach Belichick by saying:
Finally, the one number that Tedy was most proud of? 366.
Tedy Bruschi was inspiration to football players by the way he played, but he was an inspiration to all of us because of his sheer determination to not let anything hold him back, even a stroke.
After being an All-American at the University of Arizona, Tedy Bruschi was picked by the New England Patriots in the 1996 NFL Draft in the third round by Bill Parcells. He established his playoff successes early by recording two sacks during Super Bowl XXXI in his rookie season. He steadily improved his role on the Patriots team every single year. He began appearing in every single game, and by 1999 he was starting in every game (minus two when he was nursing a knee injury). By the year 2000, Bruschi had played for three different coaches in his short NFL career, and his numbers dipped slightly in the 2001 season. However, as a one of the few constants during the Patriots tumultuous coaching carousel, he was voted a captain of the defense in 2002. It was in this role that he receives most praise from ex-Patriots beat writer Greg Bedard, "the locker room police officer," is what he gets referred to by Bedard. He was constantly making sure that players on both sides of the ball were being held accountable.
Tedy said he would sit the 2005 season out. Some questioned if he would ever return to the game since the stroke immediately left him with a hobbled gate and limited vision. However, when doctors cleared him to play in October, he was practicing days later... in 2005. He continued his career playing at a high level, was named Comeback Player of the Year, and retired as a New England Patriot. Leaving us as one lucky fan base.
Bill Belichick could not say enough about Bruschi as a player. He first-down stopping tackle was the most important play of the season according to Belichick. In addition to that Belichick says the following:
“There is no player that I’ve ever coached that epitomizes a football player — you know when I look at the word football player in the dictionary, you just see Tedy Bruschi’s picture there,” Belichick said. “That’s the best way I can put it.”
Patirots' owner Robert Kraft echoed Coach Belichick by saying:
“For 13 years, he went full tilt, full time,” Kraft said.
Finally, the one number that Tedy was most proud of? 366.
“One number sticks out in my mind,” Bruschi said. “It’s 366. Three-hundred thirty six tackles, that’s the number of tackles I made as a stroke survivor. And I’m proud of that.”
Tedy Bruschi was inspiration to football players by the way he played, but he was an inspiration to all of us because of his sheer determination to not let anything hold him back, even a stroke.
