Tedy Bruschi embraces Patriots coach Bill Belichick at Monday's news conference. (Stew Milne/Associated Press)New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement Monday, ending a stellar career that included three Super Bowl titles and an inspiring return from a stroke.
Bruschi played all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Patriots — a rarity in an era of unfettered free agency marked by constant player movement.
"I'm 36 years old," Bruschi said at a news conference in Foxborough, Mass., where the Patriots play their home games. "Your body doesn't heal as quickly."
Bruschi came back from a mild stroke in February 2005 that threatened to cut short his career. He was back on the field eight months later.
"I was retired," he said Monday. "I didn't think it was possible" to play again.
Patriots coach Bill Belichick, usually stoic, choked up as he discussed one of his favourite players.
"How do I feel about Tedy Bruschi?" Belichick said. "He's a perfect player."
Bruschi has seen his performance decline in recent years, and he skipped most of this year's training camp for undisclosed reasons.
New England used Bruschi sparingly in the team's first three exhibition games, and he may have seen the writing on the wall last year when the Patriots drafted linebacker Jerod Mayo in the first round. Mayo went on to capture defensive rookie of the year honours.
A third-round pick from the University of Arizona in 1996, Bruschi began his NFL career playing on specials teams before becoming a permanent member of the Patriots' linebacking corps in 1999. He earned a Pro Bowl selection during the 2004 season, when he finished second on the team with 128 tackles.
Bruschi — who registered a sack and an interception in New England's last Super Bowl win, in 2005 over Philadelphia — played in 189 regular-season games, more than any linebacker in team history.
The California native's 631 total tackles in the last six seasons are the most on the team during that period.
"Tedy embodies everything we want the Patriot brand to stand for," owner Robert Kraft said. "Hard work, perseverance, overachievement, and selfless commitment to team first."
Bruschi isn't sure what's next.
What if Belichick calls in November, asking him to come back?
"Bill and I had a great conversation [Sunday] and I don't know if my answer to that was, 'Don't call me,"' Bruschi said. "If there was more I wanted to achieve, to come back and do more, then I would welcome that."
But he made sure he took advantage of his opportunities so when his career was over he wouldn't wish he had done more.
"There were the highest of highs and the lowest of lows," Bruschi said. "I did my job for 13 years and now my job is done. My job's done, Bill. I'm looking forward to living the rest of my life."
With files from The Associated Press
