Tedy Bruschi Did His Job

Another cornerstone of the Patriots dynasty, Tedy Bruschi, has retired from professional football after 13 seasons, all with New England. Thanks for the memories, blood, sweat, and today’s tears.  You definitely did your job to the fullest.

Tedy and I are about the same age (he is a 4 months younger), so in essence I grew up with him. I have been a season ticket holder since 1994, so I was in attendance during his rookie season of 1996 fresh from his stint with the Arizona Wildcats. Tedy was a standout in college as a two-time consensus All-American in 1994 and 1995 and winner of the 1995 Morris Trophy as the PAC-10’s best defensive lineman.

He was drafted as a defensive end in the third round, but converted to linebacker by Bill Parcells and his staff which included Bill Belichick. This position change was indeed a blessing in disguise and he excelled as a pass rushing specialist. Tedy had to fight for playing time at the beginning of his career playing on special teams, but like his former teammate Troy Brown, he always made big plays.

The Patriots were unlikely participants in Super Bowl XXXI versus Green Bay in his rookie season. Tedy made his presence felt by sacking Brett Favre twice in the biggest game of his career to that point.  The Patriots fell short 35-21, but he wouldn’t have to wait long to have a shot at a championship.

From 1997-2000, he built on his reputation as the perfect Patriots player. Tedy Bruschi won more playing time under Pete Carroll and then Bill Belichick. Bruschi became an impact player on the Patriots’ defense. He would always be around the ball forcing a fumble, sacking the quarterback, or picking off a pass for a touchdown. It seemed that #54 was in on every tackle. Foxboro and later Gillette Stadium always seemed to echo with “Tackle by Tedy Bruuuuuuuuuuschi!”

Tedy Bruschi was an integral part of the Patriots’ championship run in 2001. Tedy started nine of 15 games at linebacker and finished third on the team with 73 tackles. He was also credited with two sacks, forced three fumbles, one fumble recovery and registered a career-high with two interceptions.

He was part of a Patriots defense that allowed only 16 points per game in the playoffs versus high powered offenses from Oakland, Pittsburgh, and “The Greatest Show on Turf” aka the St. Louis Rams. He also became a world champion with 20-17 win in Super Bowl XXXVI, five years removed from his first Super Bowl appearance.

I can still see Tedy hugging the Super Bowl trophy after their hard fought victory. He looked like a little kid hugging his favorite Teddy Bear.  It will be an image that will always be etched in my memory.

Over the next few years, the big plays and championships began to mount for Tedy Bruschi. He was named defensive captain in 2002.  He still finished with 65 tackles and 2 interception returns for touchdowns even though he missed five games due to injury. Bruschi was a human wrecking ball with no regard for his body. It’s quite surprising that he wasn’t injured more often.

In 2003, his leadership was called on once again as defensive captain.  He was named AFC defensive player of the week twice that year and finished with 137 tackles.  He was part of another dominating defense in New England. A team that only surrendered 14.9 points a game tops in the league. The Patriots went on to beat the Carolina Panthers 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The following year could be considered Bruschi’s best. In 2004, Tedy had another solid regular season with 128 tackles and two picks. However, Full Time Full Tilt as he was called saved his best for the post season. Bruschi put up incredible numbers when the pressure was on.  He singlehandedly fed the Indianapolis Colts their lunch in the 2004 divisional playoff. He forced a fumble and recovered two more leaving the Colts wallowing in the mud, 28-3. I can still see him wrestling the ball away from Dominic Rhodes.

In that post season, Bruschi posted 23 tackles with a sack, an interception(against Donovan McNabb in the Super Bowl), a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries on the way to Super Bowl XXXVIII.  The Patriots became the second team to win three championships in four years with a 24-21 victory over Philadelphia. The millennium’s first dynasty had been born.

Bruschi was voted to his first Pro Bowl and deservedly so. He could have gone at least two more times but its all about the marquee names in the NFL. Bruschi was just the ultimate overachiever.  He did his job and quietly went on his way (unlike selfish players like Brandon Marshall).

Then, the unthinkable happened.  After returning from the Pro Bowl in Hawaii, Bruschi suffered a stroke. When I heard the news, I couldn’t believe it. He was 32 years old, the same age as me! I can recall the footage of him playing with his two sons on the field before the Super Bowl in Jacksonville.  How can a healthy man at such a young age have a stroke?

An event such as this puts life into perspective. Tragedy can strike you at any age, any place and under any circumstances. Life is short indeed.

I remember seeing Tedy leaving the hospital walking very gingerly. I figured there was no way he would be back. How could he? Bruschi had a great career and could go out as a 3-time Super Bowl Champion.  Time to ride off into the sunset.

Not Tedy….

The competitive fire burned much too strong in Tedy Bruschi.  On October 16, 2005, Bruschi was cleared to play football, just a mere nine months after his stroke.  On October 30th versus the Buffalo Bills, Tedy made his triumphant return. Gillette Stadium was in a frenzy. The prodigal son had finally returned home.

Bruschi picked up the pace almost seamlessly after the stroke that threatened his life. He led the team in tackles after he missed a quarter of the season in 2005. He served as an inspiration to everyone and was named Comeback Player of the Year.

Over the next three years, Bruschi continued to be the leader on defense and took younger players such as Jerod Mayo under his wing. He was and always will be a competitor. An overachiever. A mentor.

However, his 36 year old body could no longer keep up with the younger athletes of the NFL.  Bruschi gave it a go in the 2009 preseason, but his heart and soul were no longer in it. His skills were diminishing. Unlike players like Brett Favre, he wanted to go out on his terms and he did. A class act in every way.

As I mentioned before, I grew up with Bruschi. Not personally, but on Sundays in Foxboro and on TV. He was a grinder and a grunt in the trenches. He was a player that the fans could relate to. Teddy faced tragedy and overcame it.  He never gave up on his passion.

He smiled. He had fun. He made me proud to be a Patriot and a Tedy Bruschi fan (wish I didn’t lose his jersey).

As Bill Belichick said on the verge of tears, “Tedy Bruschi is the perfect player.”

I think it’s safe to say that he is a hell of a person too. Enjoy life Tedy. You deserve it!

Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now and Trufan.com