After 13 years, three Super Bowl victories, and one inspiring comeback from a stroke, Tedy Bruschi took off his pads for good–the longtime New England Patriots linebacker announced his decision to retire from the NFL today, ending an illustrious career of 189 regular season games, the most of any linebacker in Patriots history. More important than his career numbers though, is his miraculous recovery from a stroke, and his perseverance in the face of a tough medical prognosis. Following the 2005 Pro Bowl, Tedy Bruschi was hospitalized with numbness and blurry vision, and diagnosed with a stroke. Despite a prognosis that would have sidelined anyone, Bruschi fought back, and eight months later, returned to the football field. The AP Comeback Player of the Year, his heart and determination changed perceptions of stroke recovery, making him a role model for anyone experiencing physical setbacks.
