Tedy Bruschi: The Comeback Kid

Some players play the game for money, some for fame; still others for that need to prove oneself to the world. But New England Patriot player Tedy Bruschi is not that guy. He's not flashy like Chad Ochocinco. He's not a big talker like Terrell Owens, and he doesn't grace the covers of magazines like his teammate Tom Brady. 

But linebacker Tedy Bruschi has proved his dedication on and off the field. 

When Bruschi graduated from the University of Arizona in 1996, he was not a highly rated player and was drafted in the third round by the Patriots. Soon Bruschi made a name for himself, first on special teams, then as a hard-nosed, pass-rush specialist.  By 2002, Bruschi was voted team captain and became a mainstay on the Pats D-line. 

It seems like everything Bruschi touched turned to gold. Behind the offensive of Tom Brady and the defensive of Bruschi, fellow linebacker Mike Vrabel and others, the Patriots went on to win three Super Bowls in four years. 

In 2005, Bruschi was voted to the Pro Bowl. But it was just four days later Tedy Bruschi was taken to the hospital with dizziness and blurry vision. It was diagnosed that Bruschi had suffered from a mild stroke. Bruschi announced that he would sit out the 2005 NFL season, and many speculated his career was over.

Then, a miracle happened. In October of 2005, the Patriots announced that Bruschi had been medically cleared to resume playing football and on October 29th, Bruschi played in the win against the Buffalo Bill. 

While Bruschi only played a few snaps and had a few tackles, the Patriot fans went wild. Other players would might have quit, might have hung up their helmet and gone home, but Bruschi stood up and fought for his health and fought for his team. 

Four years later, Bruschi announced he would always be a Patriot. Now a 13-year veteran, he is still  rushing the passer, still going to training camp and still working to get back to the Super Bowl. You can't ask much more from a player, Tedy Bruschi, the ultimate comeback kind.