Tedy Bruschi

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Bruschi was born on June 9, 1973, in San Francisco, California, to parents of Filipino and Italian descent. His mother was Filipino, while his father was American, the son of Italian immigrants originally from the frazione of Bruschi di Sopra in Bedonia, Italy. He attended Roseville High School in Roseville, California, where he lettered in football, wrestling and track and field (shot put). He was an all-conference selection as a defensive tackle for the Roseville Tigers. He attended the University of Arizona, where he played for the Arizona Wildcats football team from 1991 to 1995. In his four-year college career, he compiled 185 total tackles (137 solos), with 74 tackles for losses, six fumbles and recovered five others and tied the NCAA Division I-A sack record with 52 sacks. He was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 1994 and 1995, and won the 199 Morris Trophy as the Pacific-10 Conference's best defensive lineman. In 1991, he missed the first three games of the season due to a pinched nerve in his neck. He returned and started two games as a true freshman, but suffered a broken left thumb and was redshirted. In 1992, he played strongside outside linebacker prior to his transition to the defensive line in 1993 and started just one of 12 games and still managed to post 4.5 sacks for the season. In 1993, he earned second-team All-America honors after setting a school record with 19 sacks as a sophomore, received first-team All-Pac-10 honors, and was named the Wildcats' most valuable player. His 27.5 tackles for losses and 19 sacks in 1993 were each career highs. In 1994, he was one of four finalists for the Lombardi Award and again was a first-team All-Pac-10 selection. He totaled 39 tackles, including 10 sacks and 15 tackles for losses. In 1995, he totaled 60 tackles (48 solos), including 18.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses. Bruschi was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. The New England Patriots selected Bruschi in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. He played for the Patriots from 1996 to 2008. Bruschi never used an agent during his time with the New England Patriots. On February 15, 2005, at age 31 and just two days after playing in the 2005 Pro Bowl, Bruschi woke up with symptoms including left sided numbness, weakness, and vision problems. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was diagnosed

In Their Own Story

On February 15, 2005, just two days after playing in the Pro Bowl, Bruschi woke up with left-sided numbness and vision problems. Diagnosed with an ischemic stroke caused by a blocked artery and a congenital heart defect known as a patent foramen ovale, he spent months at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. Doctors initially suggested he might never play again, but Bruschi refused to accept that fate. On October 16, 2005, the Patriots announced his medical clearance, and he returned to practice three days later. He officially activated on October 29, playing against the Buffalo Bills the following night. The broadcast featured extensive interviews highlighting his return, and after the game, he was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week. Though he missed the final regular-season game and one playoff contest, his presence revitalized the defense. That season earned him the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, shared with Steve Smith, cementing a story of physical survival that transcended sports statistics.

Reader's Guide

Bruschi was a linebacker for the New England Patriots from 1996 to 2008. He was selected in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. He won three Super Bowls and was a two-time second-team All-Pro selection. He was a defensive captain for multiple seasons. He returned four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns, a first in NFL history, and his career total of four interceptions returned for touchdowns ranks second in Patriots history. He is tied for fourth in NFL history among linebackers, and is the only Patriots linebacker to return multiple interceptions for touchdowns.

Did You Know?

• Bruschi tied the NCAA Division I-A sack record with 52 sacks.
• He won the 199 Morris Trophy as the Pacific-10 Conference's best defensive lineman.
• He was the first player in NFL history to return four consecutive interceptions for touchdowns.
• He was named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, sharing the honor with Steve Smith.