“I was there for Spaulding long before I knew I’d ever need them myself,” Tedy says of his rehabilitation at Spaulding. “They are real champions. They made me whole again and got me back to the field.”
On February 15, 2005, having just won his third Super Bowl and competed in his first Pro Bowl, Tedy Bruschi, the New England Patriots linebacker, developed a blood clot that caused him to suffer a mild stroke.
His wife, Heidi, called 911, and Tedy was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital. The team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital also sprang into action, working with trainers from the Patriots on Tedy’s rehabilitation plan.
Long before he was ever a patient, Tedy Bruschi had visited patients at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, hailed their remarkable recoveries, and signed autographs.
“I was there for Spaulding long before I knew I’d ever need them myself,” Tedy says of his rehabilitation at Spaulding. “They are real champions. They made me whole again and got me back to the field.”
In collaboration with the Patriots’ staff, the Spaulding team developed a physical therapy plan for Tedy that required hard work, perseverance and total commitment from Tedy — as well as from his doctors and therapists.
Tedy’s rehabilitation inspired fans who yearned for the return of the anchor of the defensive squad – but more importantly, it has stirred thousands of stroke survivors and rehab patients who face similar disabilities and physical obstacles. Tedy had his highest tackle season after his stroke and led the Patriots defense to an undefeated regular season before finally retiring in 2009 from football. He was named as the Defensive Captain for the New England Patriots 50th year anniversary team and remains one the franchise’s most beloved icons.
Today, Tedy is involved in Spaulding in a variety of ways. He serves on Spaulding’s Board of Trustees and since 2013 has hosted the Tee Off with Tedy Tournament.
Never one to sit still, he is currently a prominent NFL analyst on ESPN and regular contributor to ESPN.com and appears regular on radio and television.