There was no wavering in his voice, or regret in his words. Firm and composed, Tedy Bruschi stepped to the podium yesterday to officially make the decision to retire after 13 terrific years in the National Football League.
And the decision, while difficult, felt right.
"I worked so hard to have this day (be) more of a celebration," said Bruschi, who ends his NFL career at 36 years old. "Because this would be so much harder for me if there was more that I wanted to accomplish, if there were any more goals that were on the table."
At the forefront of his lengthy list of accomplishments, obviously, are the three Super Bowl titles and five appearances in the game. Yet his colossal impact on the Patriots organization goes beyond the banners hanging in Gillette Stadium, or the hundreds of tackles and dozens of highlight-reel plays he made, or the immeasurable support he received from fans across New England.
As team owner Robert Kraft said, "Tedy embodies everything we want the Patriot brand to stand for: hard work, perseverance, overachievement, and selfless commitment to team first."
"I've had the privilege of coaching a lot of great players and leaders in the National Football League, and I'll just put Tedy up there with all of them and above all of them," said Patriots coach Bill Belichick during an emotional statement in which he called Bruschi "the perfect player."
Bruschi, his affection for his longtime coach evident, offered that, "I knew how to play linebacker and I knew how to play ... but I didn't know how to win until Bill came here."
The Belichick-Bruschi connection was formed right at the birth of Bruschi's professional career. Belichick was an assistant coach when the Patriots took Bruschi in the third round out of Arizona in 1996, hoping to turn one of the premier collegiate defensive linemen into a competent linebacker. What they got was so much more - a ferocious quarterback rusher, an adept run-stopper, a terrific asset in pass coverage, and above all else, a dynamic leader.
Now the Patriots are left to find someone to fill that role on a defense that, at least this preseason, has struggled to find its identity.
"It's a huge void - it will take a group effort," said second-year linebacker and Bruschi protege Jerod Mayo.
On the field, Bruschi's output ranks in the annals of all-time Patriots. He finished his career with 1,134 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 12 inteceptions, 18 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries. His knack for the big play, however, was uncanny.
There was the interception for a touchdown against Miami in 2003, setting off the famous snow-throwing theatrics in the stands. Or another pick for a score against Detroit on Thanksgiving, which both the linebacker and Belichick remembered in great detail seven years later. Or the playoff game against Indianapolis in January 2005, in which he stole the ball right out of tailback Dominic Rhodes' hands.
Belichick listed several of what he said were 800 plays to choose from over the course of Bruschi's career. Yet in Bruschi's mind, none stand out ahead of the rest.
"I'm so glad there wasn't just one moment," he said. "There were multiple, and for me to talk about one would cheapen the others."
"You can pick up any game film, and you can pick one," agreed defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.
Luckily for Patriots fans, every tackle, every sack, every celebration came in a New England uniform. In a me-first, take-the-money-and-run culture, that is truly remarkable. Bruschi fondly recalled, as he has before, the story of traveling to Green Bay and seeing the Super Bowl trophy from 1996, and knowing he could never play at Lambeau Field. Other teams lobbied for his services, but to no avail. Bruschi was here to say.
"I learned that I'd rather stay in one place and fix the problems that were there myself," Bruschi said. "It would feel more gratifying. I'd rather right the ship than jump ship."
If his one-team NFL career is remarkable, then his return from a stroke in 2005 is truly mind-blowing. Eight months after being hospitalized at Mass. General Hospital, he was back, flying around the field at Gillette Stadium and earning the AP's Comeback Player of the Year award. The following year, he led the Patriots in tackles. It's been four years since he returned, and that comeback still defies description. Even Bruschi looks back with awe.
"I think what makes this day a little bit easier for me is that experience," Bruschi said. "The thought of playing professional football after experiencing a stroke, I mean, is that a statement you hear every day?"
"You hear the news that he's coming back, and you think, man, this guy can do anything," said guard Stephen Neal, Bruschi's teammate since 2001.
What Bruschi couldn't do, however, was keep pace with some of New England's younger linebackers, or opposing offensive threats this summer. It was a struggle for him to get on the field at the start of camp, and when playing in the preseason, he was badly burned by the Bengals' Chad Ochocinco and the Redskins' Chris Cooley in consecutive games.
With Mayo and Gary Guyton likely the top two Patriots at inside linebacker, and the team shifting into several 4-3 looks on defense, Bruschi's role would have been diminished. So at 36, Bruschi goes out his way.
"I feel great about myself right now," Bruschi said.
The relationships are sure to endure into the fall and the following season. Bruschi will remain in New England, although he seemed to indicate that if the phone rang come November - a la Junior Seau or Rosevelt Colvin - a comeback was still unlikely. And the well-deserved celebration of a career is certainly forthcoming for someone who read - and followed through - on a sign he passed at Gillette Stadium every day: "Do your job."
"I did my job for 13 years, and now my job is done," Bruschi said.
The mark he left on the Patriots, however, is not.
(Andy Vogt can be reached at 508-626-3848 or jvogt@cnc.com. Check out his Patriots Twitter feed at twitter.com/AndyVogt)
