Tedy Bruschi will sit out season

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Bruschi to sit out 2005 season

Tedy Bruschi didn't decide whether to end his career. He just put the decision off for a year.

The Patriots linebacker said Wednesday he will sit out this season because of a stroke he suffered 10 days after helping New England win its third Super Bowl in four years.

``Tedy ... has declared his intentions to forgo the 2005 campaign,'' Patriots spokesman Stacey James said in a statement. ``Tedy pledges to focus on his health and his family while continuing to offer ongoing support to his teammates throughout the upcoming season.''

Bruschi, 32, suffered a mild stroke on Feb. 16, three days after playing in the Pro Bowl and 10 days after helping New England beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in the Super Bowl. James said Bruschi has made daily progress in his rehabilitation.

He has attended team meetings, helped new players learn the defense and worked out in the Patriots' weight room. But he didn't practice during the team's June minicamp.

Training camp begins July 28.

``All offseason, we have seen and felt Tedy's strong and upbeat presence,'' coach Bill Belichick said. ``As usual, we will keep the focus on the short term and address the future in due course. We are pleased Tedy continues to be part of the team and he has our complete support.''

Bruschi had said it was possible he could sit out the 2005 season and return in 2006.

``Football to me, it's something I love and it's something I'll always want to do,'' he said last month at a party to pass out the latest Super Bowl rings. ``But I've got to think about my wife and my sons and just make sure things are right.''

Bruschi was an inspirational leader, a smart player who seemed to excel beyond his physical talent. A defensive lineman at Arizona, he was converted to linebacker as a rookie in 1996 and developed a knack for making big plays.

Bruschi was second on the team in total tackles last season with 122. In 136 career games, he has 753 total tackles, 25 sacks, 11 interceptions and 17 forced fumbles.

Since the stroke, he's been largely silent about his status and had not indicated whether he would return. But with training camp approaching, he was forced to make a decision.

``The organization has been so supportive for me,'' Bruschi said at the ring ceremony. ``I'm not pressured with any timetable. My family and I are worried about my health and we're just making sure I'm getting better and that's the only thing we're focusing on right now.''

Bruschi was scheduled to earn $850,000 this season, $1.35 million in 2006 and $1.7 million in the final year of his contract. That deal would be voided if he retires, but he could earn his full salary if the team puts him on the physically unable to perform list.

It's rare for someone of Bruschi's age to have a stroke, but not unheard of, said Dr. Robert Adams of the American Stroke Association. It's even more unusual for someone in peak physical condition, such as a professional athlete, to suffer a stroke.

``Physical fitness and being physically active is certainly helpful to prevent heart disease and stroke,'' he said. ``Unfortunately, it's not complete prevention.''