Former New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a stroke Thursday, according to an announcement by his foundation, Tedy’s Team.
Bruschi, 46, has a transient ischemic attack, which is also known as a mini stroke. TIA is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain that typically doesn’t cause permanent damage if recognized.
Bruschi is recovering well at Sturdy Memorial Hospital.
A three-time Super Bowl champion, Bruschi anchored Patriots defenses at middle linebacker from 1996-2008. He spent his entire professional career in New England. In February 2005, just after his first Pro Bowl appearance, Bruschi suffered a stroke. He was 31 years old. Incredibly, Bruschi returned to the field the following October, earning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
“I’m a football player by trade. That’s what I do,” Bruschi told the Associated Press at the time. “So I did everything I could to make myself a football player again.”
He later founded “Tedy’s Team,” a running group that raises funds for the American Stroke Association.
“Since his full recovery from a stroke in 2005, Tedy Bruschi has provided inspiration to so many and positively impacted the lives of others by sharing his story and advocating for early detection of stroke symptoms,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “While shocked to hear of his recent stroke, known as TIA, we are relieved to learn that he recognized the early symptoms and immediately sought and received treatment. On behalf of the entire Patriots organization, we extend our love, thoughts, and prayers to Tedy and the Bruschi family while we wish him godspeed in a complete recovery.”
Following his retirement from the NFL, Bruschi caught on as an analyst for ESPN. He has performed in-studio work for the network, and recently earned a promotion to the signature show, “Sunday NFL Countdown.”
Bruschi will join host Sam Ponder, Rex Ryan, Matt Hasselbeck, and former Patriots receiver Randy Moss on the show this fall.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
