BOSTON -- New England Patriots Tedy Bruschi will sit out
this season because of a stroke he suffered 10 days after helping
the Patriots win their third Super Bowl in four years.
"Tedy ... has declared his intentions to forgo the 2005
campaign," Patriots spokesman Stacey James said in a statement.
"The Bruschi family wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation
for the tremendous outpouring of support they have received from
fans throughout New England and others around the country."
Bruschi, 32, suffered a mild stroke on Feb. 16, three days after
playing in the Pro Bowl and 10 days after helping New England beat
the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in the Super Bowl. James said Bruschi
has made daily progress in his rehabilitation.
He has attended team meetings, helped new players learn the
defense and worked out in the Patriots' weight room. But didn't
practice during the team's June mini-camp.
Training camp begins July 28.
"All offseason, we have seen and felt Tedy's strong and upbeat
presence," coach Bill Belichick said. "As usual, we will keep the
focus on the short term and address the future in due course. We
are pleased Tedy continues to be part of the team and he has our
complete support."
Bruschi had said it was possible that he could sit out the 2005
season and return in 2006.
"Football to me, it's something I love and it's something I'll
always want to do," the Patriots linebacker said last month at a
party to pass out the latest Super Bowl rings. "But I've got to
think about my wife and my sons and just make sure things are
right."
Bruschi not only was a star player for the Patriots, but he was
an inspirational leader on the team, an overachiever who was an
example to the players around him. A 250-pound defensive lineman at
Arizona who was converted to linebacker as a rookie in 1996, he was
usually around the ball, making game-turning plays on a unit known
for them.
Since the stroke, he been largely silent about his status and
had not indicated whether he would return. But with training camp
approaching, he was forced to make a decision.
"The organization has been so supportive for me," Bruschi said
at the ring ceremony. "I'm not pressured with any timetable. My
family and I are worried about my health and we're just making sure
I'm getting better and that's the only thing we're focusing on
right now."
Bruschi was scheduled to earn $850,000 this season, $1.35
million in 2006 and $1.7 million in the final year of his contract.
That deal would be voided if he retires, but he could earn his full
salary if the team puts him on the physically-unable-to-perform
list.
Bruschi's agent, Brad Blank, told The Associated Press that he
had no comment at this time on his client's decision.
It is rare for someone of Bruschi's age to have a stroke, but
not unheard of, said Dr. Robert Adams of the American Stroke
Association. It's even more unusual for someone in peak physical
condition, such as a professional athlete, to suffer a stroke.
"Physical fitness and being physically active is certainly
helpful to prevent heart disease and stroke," he said.
"Unfortunately, it's not complete prevention."