Bruschi Tedy - Never Give Up My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL

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Table of Contents

For our sons, TJ, Rex, and Dante. With faith, courage,
and love, all is possible. We love you.

Foreword

by Tom Brady

When I arrived at my first training camp, I learned quickly that Coach Belichick never accepts excuses and always expects his players to have the toughness and determination to pay an individual price for the teams success. The players who fit this mold formed the core of our 2001 championship team. Those who didnt found work elsewhere.

Thats why as a first-year player I emulated Tedy Bruschi. I would stay a step behind him walking to practice and sit a few rows behind him in meetings and on bus rides, watching how he carried himself in his interactions with everyone from the ball boys to Mr. Kraft. He doesnt have to give locker room speeches; Tedy lets his actions speak for themselves. His ferocity on the field, his determination on every play, and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win is what separates him from the competition. He is the rock on which our championship franchise has been built, because he is what being a New England Patriot is all about.

I believe our Super Bowl XXXIX championship capped Tedys finest season, and he received a long-overdue selection to the Pro Bowl. I was fortunate to be chosen as well, so we got to hang out like never before. We jet-skied, toured Pearl Harbor, visited U.S. naval facilities, and shared plenty of laughs. We played in the Pro Bowl and that night found ourselves in the hotel lobby reflecting on how lucky we were to experience winning a third Super Bowl. We talked about our families and the support they had for us. We talked about our off-season plans and what it was going to take to get back to the big game. We then grabbed a bus together to the airport, Tedy flying back to Boston and me to Mexico for some relaxation.

Less than forty-eight hours later I returned to my hotel room and logged on to my computer to find that Tedy had been rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital after suffering what we later found out was a stroke. How could this happen? I wondered. He had just walked away from me in the airport as strong of mind, body, and soul as any man I knew, and now this.

Following the stroke there was nationwide speculation on whether Tedy would be able to recover. Most thought football was out of the question. The outpouring of support from Tedys fans and friends was incredible. I never had a doubt that Tedy would be ready to play football again at some point following his stroke. I knew he could overcome anything, even something as difficult as a potentially career-ending injury. I sat in his house a few weeks after his surgery looking at the huge bruises all over his body, Tedy still without full vision, still exhausted from the surgery, and yet I saw the same fire in his eyes that had been inspiring me for years. This life-altering experience had taken all of his energy from him and hurt him badly, but I knew it hadnt taken his toughness and determination.

Tedy gives you something to believe in. Whether were winning or losing, he holds his head high, and he knows himself and handles himself so well, others cant help but follow him. The way he practices and plays forces you to become a better teammate; the way he demands hustle and toughness forces you to become a better leader; and the way he carries himself inspires you to become a better person. This made his return to playing on October 30 against Buffalo all the more electrifying. The stadium was louder that night than on the nights we had raised our Super Bowl banners. Our captain, our leader, our inspiration was back on the field doing what he loved to do. Tedy had spent months rehabbing, had countless doctor visits, and had undergone hundreds of tests trying to play again. Just eight months after our victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, here we were celebrating a much bigger victory on our home field. Sure it was great to win the game, but that night we were celebrating Tedys return as he showed us teammates, fans, family, and friends what it takes to become victorious in life.

What you get from Tedy on the field, however, is just a glimpse of all that he is. He is witty but reserved, patient but fiery, determined but elusive. Tedy has all the qualities you look for in a best friend, a father, and a role model, all in one person. Its rare to come across a man who has his feet firmly planted on the ground and who never sacrifices what is true and honest to him.

I was excited to participate in this book because Im excited for the fans of the Patriots to get to know the man like I know him. Over the past eight years I have been lucky for many reasons, not the least of which has been my friendship with Bru. Weve developed a brotherly bond through countless practices, meals, victory parties, and family events. I am proud of who he is and what he has overcome, and I look forward to many more years of growth together and, of course, winning a few more championships.

You might be coming to this book as a fan of Tedys football skills and, dont get me wrong, gaining the insights of one of the best defenders in Patriots history is worth the price of admission, but thats just part of the story. There are a lot of reasons to look up to him, and I promise you will finish this book with an admiration for him on a much deeper level.

Preface

I never really felt like I had much to say, but after my stroke that changed. Ive received countless letters from so many people: football fans and stroke survivorsmany of whom have been in life struggles that they feel cant be overcome. They all ask me, How did you do it? I want to respond to every letter and e-mail, but its just not possible. This book is my answer to all of those people. I feel its a story that should be told because I want people to know that life is special, and you should enjoy all the good it has to offer, but you are truly defined by how you respond to the struggles it presents to you.

I look forward to using this book to educate people on the warning signs of stroke. To show our commitment, Michael and I are going to donate a portion of our proceeds to the American Stroke Association.

Tedy Bruschi
Linebacker
Stroke Survivor

Acknowledgments

This journey would not have been possible without the help of so many special people. My wife, Heidi, who gave me courage when I had none left. My entire family, who gave me strength and support. Tony and Linda, when I needed you most you were right there. Vicki and Kati, you were everything for us. Bill and Sharon Roberts, Tracie Pond, and Sue Bowen. Friends always say, Call if you need anything. Thanks for answering our call.

To all of the doctors, nurses, and staff at Massachusetts General Hospital, thank you for being so kind. Dr. Greer, your professionalism, expertise, and humor helped me more than you could possibly know. Dr. Igor Palacios, Mary Lievens, Dr. Danita Sanborn, and Dr. Era Demergian, I know at times I was not the best patient; thank you for your kindness. Karen and the gang, you made things so easy for Heidi and me. Also, Anne McCarthy Jacobson and the people at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, thanks for being so tough on me. Anne, I needed that. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Art Day of Brigham and Womens hospital in Boston and Dr. Matthew Fink and Dr. Gatto at the New York-Presbyterian Hospital/ Weill Cornell Medical Center.

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