Bruschi Calls It Quits

An era has come to a close in New England. Tedy Bruschi has retired.

I remember Tedy’s first season with the Patriots. I remember this 23-year-old kid, this rookie in the linebacker corps, all fired up – looking for gaps in the O-line; looking for a running back who made the error of thinking he could steam-roll this third round pick. But what struck me was not how hard he hit or how quickly he got to the passer. No. It was how he acted while on the field or on the sidelines. He was happy to be there. He was a kid realizing his dream. And he played that way. Whenever the camera caught him, he always had a smile on his face. An ear-to-ear grin. Just like a kid who, on Christmas morning, sees the new bike Santa has left him. He was just happy to be there.

“My initial thoughts on their franchise, to tell you the truth, was I was grateful to have an opportunity,” said Bruschi. “I didn’t care what the stadium looked like. I didn’t care what the field was. I didn’t care if there were silver bleachers. This was football. I didn’t need Patriot Place back then. All I needed was a field. That’s all I needed.”

Odds are he won’t be sitting on the stage in Canton or making an inspired speech at the dais during his Hall of Fame induction. Although his numbers are solid, ranking at the top or near-top of Patriots’ record books, Bruschi was a Pro-Bowler only once. He played in five Super Bowls and has three rings for his efforts. In 2005, just days after playing in his one and only Pro Bowl, Bruschi suffered a stroke. After months of rehab, he returned to the team in October of 2005, was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week following his first game back and was named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

At his retirement announcement yesterday at Gillette Stadium, Bruschi, who had never really been the face of the organization, but had been its heart and soul, acknowledged that the time had come to hang up his helmet. “Retirement’s been in my mind,” said Bruschi. “I think that what’s helped me come to this decision is I woke up and a little secret I can tell you guys is, I’m 36 years old. You realize you’re getting older a little bit and your body doesn’t heal as quickly as it did.”

Team owner, Robert Kraft added, “Tedy embodies everything we want the Patriot brand to stand for. Hard work, perseverance, overachievement, and selfless commitment to team first.”

Head coach, Bill Belichick, usually stoic (some say devoid of any emotion), did get emotional, his voice shaking when he called Bruschi “a perfect player.”

For this writer, Bruschi embodies all that we look for in professional athletes. A man who left it all on the field in every game he played. A man who conquered seemingly insurmountable odds to rejoin his teammates on the field. A man of character. A man who was just happy to be there.