Home / New England Patriots / Patriots “Perfect Player” Tedy Bruschi Retires

Patriots “Perfect Player” Tedy Bruschi Retires

Today the New England Patriots had Tedy Bruschi’s jersey hanging in the rafters prior to the press conference. They also showed video clips of some of his best plays as a member of the team. Bruschi decided it was time, it was time to hang it up and call it a career after 13 memorable seasons.

Bruschi spent his entire 13 year career with the New England Patriots. Thirteen years, 3 Super Bowl Championships, 1 amazing comeback from a stroke and about 800 memorable plays according to an emotional Bill Belichick. Bruschi the tough, inspirational LB for so many seasons finally met a foe he couldn’t beat…time.

“All the goals I ever had, I accomplished,” said Bruschi, who was articulate, composed, and animated at a 10:45 a.m. press conference at Gillette Stadium confirming his decision. “Today is my end.”

Bruschi,  36 years old, was first reported to be retiring on NBC last night during the Broncos – Bears game. Bruschi made his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 2004, but his future was in doubt just three days after the game. He was hospitalized after experiencing numbness in his left arm and left leg and blurry vision and was diagnosed with a mild stroke.

Only eight months later, he amazingly  recovered to play the last 10 games that season and was named The AP Comeback Player of the Year. He remained a significant contributor to the defense through last season. He was the inspirational leader that helped that team solidify the defense and get the team back into the post-season.

Bruschi said his retirement should be viewed as a celebration, because that’s how he feels, noting that he accomplished all of his goals, save one.

“I wanted a fourth Super Bowl title, but settling for three isn’t a bad thing he said.He was drafted by the Patriots out of the University of Arizona Wildcats in the 3^rd round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He was thought to be too small, too slow to be an NFL LB. Undersized for an NFL defensive end, he had tied the NCAA career record for career sacks as a Wildcat . He was converted to an NFL LB by a Patriots Asst Head Coach/ Defensive Coordinator at the time, named Bill Belichick.

Bruschi was clearly emotional when discussing Patriots owner Robert Kraft, describing him as a member of his family now as well as the Patriots fans.

“I feel like my career was different than a lot of other players, and also different with my relationship with the fans,” he said. “They saw me come in as an underdog. … The fans took that journey with me. Thank you for that support.” Bruschi always remained approachable to fans, he mentioned that he stays in contact with one young man who he met as a rookie 14 years ago. The man now 25 and he are close. Other fans shared their stories with him as he recovered from his stroke and he still maintains contact with them via email.

But the best, most poignant moment came when Coach Bill Belichick commented about Bruschi. Many times his voice cracked with emotion as he told the packed press room in Foxboro about Bruschi.

“I’ve coached a lot of great players, and Tedy is up there with all of them . . . above them,” said Belichick, who remarked that Bruschi always did the right thing on and off the field. “He’s the epitome of everything you would want in a football player . . . I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player do what he’s done.

“We’ll miss him in the film room, in the weight room, on the practice field and most importantly on the playing field” he said. He also added that Bruschi knew when “To ramp it up, to tone it down, to joke around and when to get serious.”

“How do I sum it up? How do I feel about Tedy Bruschi in five seconds? He’s a perfect player. He’s helped create a tradition here we’re all proud of. He’s a perfect player. He’s a perfect player.”

“That’s something you’ll never hear during your career,” Bruschi said “To have him say that to me is probably the best compliment he could ever give me.” He and Belichick looked at each other laughing during that moment.

Bruschi would comment on Belichick, saying how very much alike they are, and after so many years, their thought processes were similar. “My coach, Bill Belichick, I hear him speak and I swear I think, ‘That’s the same thing I would say.’ He turned me into a champion,” Bruschi said. He said, “Anyone can roll a helmet out there, with a Patriots logo on it. He taught me how to win” He added, “Every week, coach would come in… offense, defense and tell us exactly what we needed to do to win.”

“There is a sign when you come into this facility that says ‘Do Your Job’. I did my job for 13 years. Now my job is done. My job is done,” he said. “I’m looking forward to living the rest of my life.” “Goals achieved. Career fulfilled,” Bruschi said. “I’m just regular. I’m a 36-year-old father of three.”

Bruschi played in 189 regular-season games for the Patriots, more than any other LB in team history, third among all defensive players and sixth overall in team history. Bruschi played in 22 career playoff games, the highest total in Patriots history and tied for the second-highest total of any active player. His Five Super Bowl appearances are tied for second among all NFL players.

He compiled 1,134 total tackles, 30.5 sacks, 12 interceptions, including 4 returned for touchdowns, His 4  INTs returned for TDs were all in a row, an NFL record. He also had 62 passes defensed, 18 forced fumbles, 6 fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown and 55 special teams tackles.

“Being a Patriot my entire career is something I’m very proud of,” he said. He remarked that he told his wife, then girlfriend Heidi, that he wanted to remain with one team for his entire career. Once he said, as a free agent, he had thoughts of going elsewhere, and arranged a visit with Green Bay. “As soon as I walked in, and saw the Lombardi Trophy where they beat us, I knew I wasn’t going to Green Bay “ he said.

He talked about free agency, where players leave seeking greener pastures. “I decided it was better to stay and try to fix your problems or what was wrong than going somewhere else “ he said.

Bruschi said he spoke to many teammates on Sunday to explain to them that he was going to retire. He said he kept using the word “fulfilled” in his conversations. He said the Patriots have a new leader on defense, Jerod Mayo, who attached himself to Bruschi during his rookie year and has learned the “Patriot Way” and is now accepting the mantle of leadership.

The press conference opened with Robert Kraft remarking on Bruschi’s hard work, perseverance, and team-first attitude, traits he said the franchise and Bruschi always stood for. “He is a true iconic legend who will always be part of our family,” Kraft said.

Bruschi, when asked if he would entertain thoughts of coming back in mid-season if the the team asked him to, ala Junior Seau said  he would listen to what Belichick had to say if he called and told him he needed him during the season, said he plans to remain in New England with Heidi and their three boys.

“I told, Bill, Mr. Kraft, I’ll be down the street,” Bruschi said.

A couple of images from his career are sure to endure, his playing with his sons on the field in Jacksonville just a couple of hours before the Super Bowl against the Eagles. His interception in that game and afterwards holding the newspaper that had the simple title “Dynasty” while holding up three fingers for the third Super Bowl win.  And the interception against the Dolphins where he returned it for a TD on a snowy day in Foxboro, where the fans celebrated by throwing snow high into the air that cold day.

A couple of images, but as Bill Belichick said, there are about 800 that stand out.

His press conference provided a classy end to a classy career. He retires as the epitome of what it means to be a New England Patriot.

It is what it is….

Comments