Report: Bruschi suffered stroke-like symptoms

[Louis Cypher]

Boston Herald

By Laura Crimaldi
Thursday, February 17, 2005


Charismatic New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi was hospitalized yesterday after complaining of headaches just days after capping a Super Bowl-winning road trip with his first appearance at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

One source told the Herald Bruschi lost some vision in one eye, but the sight was returning. A team official said he was up ``walking and talking.''

The 31-year-old inside linebacker is being evaluated in the exclusive Phillips House at Massachusetts General Hospital where he was admitted after arriving at the hospital by ambulance.

``After complaining of headaches earlier today, Tedy Bruschi was admitted (to MGH),'' Patriots spokesman Stacey James said in a statement last night. ``He is in good condition and will be held for further evaluations.

``The Bruschi family appreciates everyone's concern, but requests that you respect their privacy at this time.''

Several sources said the player had been rushed to the Boston hospital by ambulance from his home in North Attleboro and may have suffered a stroke.

One source said Bruschi had suffered a stroke, but it appeared to be a minor stroke since he was being treated at the Phillips House rather than in a critical care unit.

CBS-4 reported Bruschi also suffered partial paralysis.

James would not confirm or deny that Bruschi had suffered a stroke. More tests are scheduled for today and a source at the hospital said he was under the care of a team doctor.

Team owner Robert Kraft, who declined comment while attending last night's Boston College-Rutgers basketball game, visited Bruschi at MGH, sources said.

Bruschi, who was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated just before the Pats won their third Super Bowl in four years, is a fan favorite and a key component of the Pats' defense. As the team took the field in Jacksonville, Fla., some New Englanders unfurled a banner reading, ``Bruschi Full Tilt Full Time.''

Cameras worldwide captured the 6-foot-1, 247-pounder playing with two of his young sons - 4-year-old Tedy Jr. and 2-year-old Rex - on the field before the kickoff. Bruschi's wife, Heidi, gave birth to a third boy, Dante, last month.

A nine-year NFL veteran, he made a key interception in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl as the Patriots downed Philadelphia, 24-21. He flew home for the victory parade in Boston before jetting off to Honolulu for the Pro Bowl, which was played last Sunday.

The University of Arizona product was a third-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft. Then a defensive end, he made the transition to inside linebacker. Along the way, he also gave up booze. He is now featured in a ``Got Milk?'' ad.

[JoeyrollNy]

I hope he's ok. I like the way he plays the game.

[Louis Cypher]

Pats Linebacker May Have Had Minor Stroke

By Associated Press

February 17, 2005, 5:10 PM EST


BOSTON -- New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi has a broken blood vessel in his head and might have had a minor stroke, according to newspaper reports.

Bruschi was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital on Wednesday with unexplained headaches.

The possibility that he had suffered a stroke was reported in Thursday editions of The Boston Herald, which cited unidentified sources. The story also said Bruschi suffered lost vision.

The Boston Globe, citing an unidentified team source, reported on its Web site Thursday that Bruschi had a broken blood vessel in his head and suffered from partial paralysis that has since gone away. A broken blood vessel can cause a stroke if it deprives the brain of oxygen.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James said Thursday that any information on Bruschi's condition would come from the player or his family. Bruschi spent Wednesday night at the hospital and more tests were scheduled for Thursday morning, James said.

"He is in good condition and will be held for further evaluations," the team said in a statement. "The Bruschi family appreciates everyone's concern, but requests that you respect their privacy at this time."

A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Hospital would neither confirm nor deny that Bruschi had been admitted and referred all questions to the Patriots. Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who was attending the men's college basketball game between Boston College and Rutgers on Wednesday night, declined comment.

A nine-year NFL veteran, Bruschi is the centerpiece of the Patriots defense that helped the team win three of the past four Super Bowls, including a 24-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Feb. 6.

On Sunday, Bruschi played in his first Pro Bowl.

Bruschi, 31, was selected as the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week three times, including the first-round playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts. A second team Associated Press All-Pro selection, he ranked second on the team with 128 tackles and tied for second with three interceptions.

He had two fumble recoveries in the team's 20-3 playoff win over the Indianapolis Colts, and an interception in the Super Bowl.