After suffering a stroke days after the probowl last year, it was expected by many (including myself) that Tedy's football career was past him. After surgery to repair a hole in his heart, and a statement by Bruschi that he would not play this year, the Patriots placed Tedy on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
As training camp ensued, Tedy was there rehabbing and encouraging his teammates the way he always has done so in the past. And when the Patriots struggled against a tough schedule and with injuries in the backfield piling up, Tedy decided he would return this year instead.
After talking to numerous doctors and getting a unanimous clean bill of health, he returned to the lineup on October 30th against the Buffalo Bills. He played in 9 of the final 10 regular season games, and finished fourth in total tackles (62) on the Patriots defense (37, with 25 assists). He even had 2 sacks.
And so the Patriots 2005 Ed Block Courage Award is going to Tedy Bruschi. Selected by his teammates, the award is given to one player from each NFL team to the player who exemplifies a commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Tedy will be honored on March 7th in Baltimore, Md.
Bruschi was also selected, along with Steve Smith of the Panthers, as the Associated Press Comeback player of the Year.
"It's been a long road for Steve and I to get back to doing what we love to do," Bruschi said. "To be recognized for it is an honor."
"I'm back to doing what I love. Sometimes, you've just got to pick yourself off the ground and get back to living your life. That's all I was trying to do."
If you're from blogazoo, here's a gazoo for you.
Look for previous posts on the Patriots.
Friday, January 06, 2006
Tedy Bruschi will receive the Patriots 2005 Ed Block Courage Award
Tags:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment