Patriots' Bruschi announces retirement after 13 seasons has 0 comments

Aug 31st 2009, 23:09 | FFN-Score: 3 points

Tedy Bruschi is retiring after a 13-year career marked by an inspiring return to the New England Patriots as a starting linebacker eight months after a stroke.

Bruschi, 36, announced his retirement at a news conference Monday morning.

"I'm 36 years old," Bruschi said at a news conference. "Your body doesn't heal as quickly."

Bruschi played on all three Super Bowl-winning Patriots teams. The last championship game was on Feb. 6, 2005, against the Philadelphia Eagles. Ten days later he was hospitalized after experiencing numbness in his left arm and left leg and blurry vision and was diagnosed with a mild stroke.

"I was retired," he said. "I didn't think it was possible" to play again.

Bruschi's performance declined last year and he was playing with the second unit on defense this summer. He missed much of training camp with an undisclosed injury but played in two of the team's last three exhibition games.

“For the past 13 seasons, Tedy Bruschi helped define what it means to be a New England Patriot,” said Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. “The heart and soul of the defense during the most successful era in the history of the franchise, Tedy also served as an example to every new Patriot of what it takes to be a champion on and off the field. Tedy’s tenacity as a player made him a fan favorite long before he helped bring three Super Bowl championships to New England. His remarkable and courageous return to the field following a stroke only added to his legend as one of the most significant and memorable athletes in the history of New England sports. We are blessed in so many ways to have had Tedy Bruschi as a career Patriot.”

Coach Bill Belichick, usually stoic, choked up as he discussed Bruschi.

"How do I feel about Tedy Bruschi?" Belichick said. "He's a perfect player."

Bruschi's reaction?

"That's something you'll never hear during your career," he said as he and Belichick laughed. "To have him say that to me is probably the best compliment he could ever give me."

A third-round draft choice out of Arizona in 1996, Bruschi worked his way up from a part-time player and member of special teams units to full-time starter in 1999.

"I've had so many years (when) where you are in September is different than where you are in December," Bruschi said last week. "So I've learned that ever since I was a third-down situational pass rushing rookie that played on special teams all the way through my entire career, never assume what your role is going to be. Just be ready when your coach calls on you."

Bruschi, a 36-year-old inside linebacker, played sparingly in the Patriots' three preseason games

Last season the Patriots drafted Jerod Mayo at inside linebacker in the first round and he became the NFL defensive player of the year. Gary Guyton, a free agent rookie last season, also developed at that position.

This offseason, the Patriots obtained inside linebacker Paris Lennon from Detroit.

Bruschi made one Pro Bowl in the 2004 season when he was second on the team with 128 tackles. He also had a sack and an interception in that year's Super Bowl win over the Eagles.

He has played in 189 regular-season games, more than any linebacker in club history. His 631 total tackles over the past six seasons are the most on the team in that period.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.