Today was a another interesting day in my life. Tedy Bruschi retired. Its another sign I am getting older. I recall as a student returning to college in 1994 I was on the University of Arizona campus. Tedy Bruschi was one of about five Wildcats to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated and the team was the pre-season #1 ranked team by Sports Illustrated coming off of a 29-0 whitewash of Ray Lewis and the bad boys at Miami University.
My class schedule was in sync with Tedy Bruschi's schedule as I would see him every day around the library. He was a stocky guy, certainly not tall and not your prototypical pass rushing defensive end. I certainly never would have guessed that this guy would go on to win three super bowls, an appearance in the Pro Bowl and spend 13 years with one of the best teams in the NFL the New England Patriots. It was 1994 and New England Patriots and best team were two words that simply were not heard in the same sentence.
Based on what I saw today Tedy Bruschi the smallish defensive end that transformed himself into a impact player as a special teams guy under Bill Parcells and eventually a great team player and linebacker was as responsible for the Patriots success as anyone outside of Tom Brady. It was nice to see Bruschi so content in his retirement speech talking about how it is so important in your career to have one great moment and he was so fortunate to have many great moments. Bruschi's moments seemed to parallel the Patriots success as a team. It was Brushi against the Jaguars in the 1996 AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was Bruschi in the "tuck rule" game against the Raiders. It was Bruschi in the Super Bowl against the Rams, Panthers, and Eagles.
Simply put Bruschi was exactly what you wanted in a football player, the ultimate team player, and the perfect player according to future Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Belichek. Bruschi was and has been the New England Patriots for the past 13 plus years. His numbers were not huge, but he made the right plays at the right time. He was always in the right place at the right time. He had the respect of his peers, his teammates and certainly the respect of this former Arizona Wildcat.
He was also perfect in his goodbye speech. Tedy will certainly be missed. Tedy belongs on the football field and someday I expect he will be back as a coach, possibly a head coach.
Hacksaw- I believe he is one of the few who got to play in 5 Super Bowls. Sad day here in New England but the timing is right. He gets to go out on his own terms. He has passed the baton to Jerod Mayo, the 2008 AFC Defensive rookie of the year, who Tedy took under his wing last season. He will be missed for sure, especially his leadership.
ReplyDeleteWho are the other players to play in 5 Super Bowls? I know Marv Fleming, a tight end for the Green Bay Packers under Lombardi and with Shula's Dolphins played in 5 Super Bowls winning 4 and losing 1. Also Glenn Parker currently at Fox Sports and former Arizona Wildcat prior to Bruschi played in five Super Bowls on the losing side every time; 4 with Buffalo and 1 with the NY Giants. Were there any other players to play in 5?
ReplyDeletePhil, you know I never did get to see the Patriots first Super Bowl victory otherwise known as Sparky Bowl, the week Sparky was missing and I was out looking for her.
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