Bruschi: A triumph of character

There are many reasons to salute Patriots’ linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who announced his retirement yesterday. But beyond his 13 seasons of on-field excellence, and beyond the “passion’’ coach Bill Belichick cited in an emotional farewell yesterday, Bruschi’s career deserves to be celebrated above all as a triumph of character. In an era when big money, performance-enhancing pharmaceuticals, and the hyping of boorish celebrity stars have contaminated professional sports, Bruschi stands apart. The qualities he embodied in helmet and pads were no different from those he showed when talking candidly about his 2005 stroke. The player and the man were one and the same. Bruschi leaves the game as he played it, representing something that is not supposed to exist anymore - a role model.