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Bruschi's statement
Wearing blue shorts, a blue athletic shirt and a silver cross around his neck, Tedy Bruschi stepped to the podium in the interview room at Gillette Stadium before 17 television cameras and an overflowing media crowd.
He opened with the following statement:
“The first thing I should do is say ‘Thank you for patience.’ I know I haven’t commented a lot on this. It’s been a long road to this but I appreciate your patience and professionalism on how you’ve handled my situation. Especially the local media. I just want to say thank you for doing that.
The organization, from the coaches to the trainers, Mr. Kraft especially, the way they’ve helped me get the best possible medical advice to make sure things were right, and make sure it was possible for me to continue what I love doing, I want to thank them for that.
“I want to especially thank the people Mass. General [Hospital], who have been with me since Day 1. Dr. [David] Greer has been just huge for me. You got the statement from him and he’s the physician who put his hand on my shoulder and said ‘Tedy, you’ve had a mild stroke.’ I said ‘What?’ He’s the guy who has been with me and I want to thank him.
“People at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, who helped me from Day 1 on my rehabilitation – to get back to walking right, to seeing right, all that stuff. They really did a great job and I want to thank them.
“Jim Whalen, the head trainer here at the New England Patriots. [Assistant athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation] Joe Van Allen, [assistant trainer] Dave Granito, the training staff. They’re the best trainers in the league by far. I’ve only known them for so long, but they have to be the best for what they’ve done for me. Just helping me the way they have, they’ve been incredible.
“The strength staff, Mike Woicik, the way he’s helped me rehabilitate. My teammates have been so supportive to me. My wife Heidi, she’s been by me ever since it started, since the 911 call. Her support has been so special to me. A special thank you to her.
“Having said that, here I am. Here I am and I fully anticipate to practice Wednesday. It’s been a long road to rehabilitation – mentally, physically, emotionally. It’s been a rough road. The first month and a half of the year, my third son was born, we win the AFC Championship, we win the Super Bowl, I go to a Pro Bowl. I come home and have a stroke. It’s been a roller coaster. It’s been a long way back and here I am.
“I fully anticipate practicing Wednesday. I want to help this team any way I can. Right now, I’ve been cleared to play medically by many physicians and I’m just here to say thank you to all the fans, especially, who have given me all their support. Emails. Letters. Flowers sent to my home. The support I received from them has been absolutely incredible. I’ve said before how the fans in New England are the best in the league and I have first-hand knowledge of how special they can be, and how supportive they can be when a player really needs to be picked up off the ground and given support. They’ve done so much for me and I want to thank them for that.”
Bruschi then fielded several questions. We’ll post some of the Q&A in a bit.
--Mike
