arthurracoon said:
I hope he does ok.
Bruschi Looks Like Old Self in Victory
By JOE LAPOINTE
FOXBORO, Mass., Oct. 30 -
In the easy jargon of sports, heart usually means desire and brains usually equal intelligence.
For Tedy Bruschi, the words were literal and potentially lethal last February when a blood clot passed through a small hole in his heart to cut off the blood supply to his brain, causing a mild stroke that blurred his vision and left him with numbness on his left side.
Bruschi, a veteran linebacker for the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, did not know if he would play football again or enjoy a normal family life after the hole was patched during surgery in March.
But he returned to competition Sunday night when the Patriots played the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium, and he played extensively with no apparent ill effect as New England came from behind for a 21-16 victory. The Patriots raised their record to 4-3 for first place in the American Football Conference East.
One of Bruschi's best plays came on Buffalo's final drive, when he broke up a pass intended for Daimon Shelton. It was a triumphant return for one of the National Football League's most experienced, talented and popular players.
"It feels good, I'm back doing what I love," Bruschi said. "I was ready mentally, physically and emotionally."
The game's outcome turned in the fourth quarter when Rosevelt Colvin of the Patriot sacked Bills quarterback Kelly Holcomb. It caused a fumble that Colvin recovered on the Buffalo 23. Two plays later, Corey Dillon of the Patriots ran one yard for his second touchdown to give the Patriots their only lead.
When Bruschi took the field, he waved to the crowd, which greeted him with a standing ovation, and he hugged Lawyer Milloy of the Bills, a former New England teammate. Many signs decorated the stadium, some with his number, including "54: Full Tilt, Full Time." Another said "Bruschi Equals Football."
Before the season, Bruschi said he would not return this year. But he changed his mind as his health improved and several doctors assured him it was safe to play.
Because the Bills' offense controlled the ball for much of the game, Bruschi played many downs, sometimes for more than a dozen plays in succession, fighting off blocks, dropping back in pass coverage and diving into piles to tackle runners.
His best play early in the game was an initial hit against wide receiver Roscoe Parrish on a reverse, slowing Parrish before others brought him down for a 6-yard loss. After tackles, Bruschi gestured enthusiastically with his arms several times.
Bruschi had the stroke in February, after he played in the Pro Bowl, and he had surgery in March. Bruschi has been around the team for most of the season and on the sidelines for games, and fans have cheered his image on the video screen on the scoreboard.
Bruschi, 32, grew up in San Francisco and Sacramento and joined the Patriots in 1996 as a third-round draft choice. He plays saxophone and enjoys jazz. He is married and the father of three young sons.
He met his wife, Heidi, while in college at Arizona, where she was a volleyball star. She attended Sunday's game. He credited her for her support and said her athletic background had helped. He also said that he got up quickly from tackles Sunday to reassure her.
"She's a wonderful wife," Bruschi said. "She's strong-willed. She can help me out in times of weakness. I've had them."
He said he located her face in the stands by seeing her blonde hair. "I could see her smiling," Bruschi said. "I believe we're feeling the same emotions, and we will for the rest of our lives."
Bruschi also said he was inspired by letters from stroke victims. "You can't feel sorry for yourself anymore," Bruschi said. "You pick yourself off the ground and live your life." He said he wanted to pass on the lessons of his recovery as an example to his children.
He has played in four Super Bowl games with the Patriots, who have won the championship in three of the last four seasons. In a conversation with reporters on Oct. 18, the day before returning to full practice, Bruschi discussed the doubts he had last spring and summer about his eventual recovery and return.
"There were times in my mind when I thought I was done," he said then, reflecting on the symptoms of his illness. "I can't see. I can barely walk. How am I going to play football again?"
But, as time passed, he seemed more sure of his return. "I am a football player," he said. "It's what I do."
