Tedy Bruschi To Announce Retirement After 13 Seasons

NFL News - August 31st, 2009 - Written by John

After an illustrious 13 year career with the New England Patriots, linebacker Tedy Bruschi has decided to retire. The news came about Sunday night during the Bears -Broncos game when Al Michaels made this announcement. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that Bruschi will announce his retirement during a press conference Monday morning. The team has declined to comment on this situation. Bruschi was a third round draft choice out of Arizona in 1996. Bruschi's play had begun to decline and he missed some time at training camp this year for undisclosed reasons. He was scheduled to earn $1.9 million this season.

Bruschi, who played on all three winning Super Bowl teams, had a story book career with the Patriots. Ten days after their Super Bowl victory in 2005 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Bruschi was hospitalized for numbness in his right leg and arm, along with blurred vision. He was diagnosed with having a mild stroke and made an inspiring comeback just eight months later. Bruschi played in nine of the last ten games that season and was named The AP Comeback Player of the Year. The one time Pro Bowler ends his career with playing in 189 games for the Patriots, which is more than any other linebacker in the team's history. For his career, he had a total of 735 tackles and 30.5 sacks. After spending time as a part time player and making appearances on special teams, he worked his way into a starting role during the 1996 season.

"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."

In the first round of last season's draft, the Patriots selected inside linebacker Jerod Mayo and in that same year he went on to be the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Inside linebacker Gary Guyton, a second year former free agent, also developed in that position and Bruschi in the end would wind up losing his starting role to him. During this offseason, the Patriots also received inside linebacker Paris Lennon from Detroit as they looked to add depth to this position with Bruschi's play on the decline. The Patriots, who are looking to make their way back to the Super Bowl with the return of Tom Brady, will look to do this without their veteran leader at linebacker.

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