New England Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi shares what makes him feel like a champion
SEABROOK — At approximately 6:44 p.m on Wednesday, a crowd of more than 100 people rose to their feet, and started to applaud for Tedy Bruschi, who hadn't even revealed himself from the maroon colored curtain that separated the stage and the back waiting room.
The many blue, white and even some red jerseys with a big number 54 on the front and the back showed the crowd was already prepared for who was about to bless the stage.
Former New England Patriot linebacker Tedy Bruschi stopped by The Brook Casino in Seabrook, where he greeted lifelong fans in the Seasons Showroom. Bruschi, who spent his entire 13-year NFL career with the Patriots and won three Super Bowls, answered questions for about 45 minutes from emcee Mike Mutnansky, before opening up the floor for questions for roughly 10 minutes.
"It's amazing how well-versed everyone is in Patriot history," said Bruschi, 50, who has worked as a NFL analyst on ESPN since August 2009. "They talk to me about plays that I had when I was a rookie. New England Patriots fans are extremely passionate, and I'm always looking for opportunities to go out and meet them."
Throughout the night, fans asked questions, shared stories and thanked Bruschi for all he does with his organization, Tedy's Team, which he founded in 2005.
Bruschi suffered his first of two strokes in February 2005, nine days after the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21, in Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida. He returned to football later that fall, and played four more seasons with the Patriots before retiring in 2009. He suffered a second stroke on July 4, 2019.
Bruschi started his "Tedy's Team" foundation with the purpose of raising awareness of the signs of symptoms of stroke, and also breaking the stigma of who can suffer from strokes.
Bruschi, a third-round draft pick by the Patriots out of University of Arizona in 1996, was 31 when he suffered his first stroke. That unfortunate moment sparked a life-changing foundation for thousands around the world, he said.
Bruschi talked about hearing stories that people share with him about how he's helped them get through tough times. These stories ranged on numerous subjects whether they were the ones suffering with health problems of if they were a caregiver.
"It's incredibly inspirational," Bruschi said. "I can just talk to them on an even-keel since I know what they went through. I was extremely lucky in my recovery, but some aren't as lucky. But I can still know how tough it is to go through that rehab process."
Bruschi won three Super Bowls, was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2005, and is a member of the Patriots Hall of Fame, but what makes him feel like a champion off the field, he said, is the work he does with Tedy's Team.
"My organization raises awareness for stroke and heart disease, which is of course passionate to me," he said. "Coming back from (my strokes), I'm sort of inspiring people having their own comebacks. To help them do that, that's what really makes me feel like a champion."
Portsmouth's David King: '(Bruschi's) my favorite Patriot of all-time'
Portsmouth resident David King found out about Wednesday's event last month when he received a text from a DraftKings representative asking him if he wanted to meet Bruschi.
"I'm like, 'Are you kidding me?'" King said. "He's like one of my favorite Patriots of all-time."
King met Bruschi, took a picture with him, and spoke about being a lifelong fan.
"Everyone likes a comeback," King said. "Everybody gets down in their life and you want to have a story when you come back (like Bruschi). Obviously, that's fantastic. When he came back (after his stroke), it was crazy, but I loved (Bruschi) way before that. The reason why I really love him is the energy that he has and the motivation he has on other players. I loved listening to other players talk about him, what he does in the locker room, how he pushes people to be their best, and he shows that by doing it himself."
King attended the event with his girlfriend, Jennifer Quinn, who was wearing a denim jacket she received from King's mother for Christmas. King said his mother is "one of the biggest Tedy Bruschi fans ever." Quinn didn't think anything about that when she wore the denim jacket Wednesday, but now the jacket has a Tedy Bruschi signature on it.
"I'm not going to give it back to her," Quinn joked. "But I'll probably never wear it again."
Exeter fan shares story on Bruschi autographing car
Another lifelong Patriots fan, Gary Mulkigian, has a unique autograph from Bruschi from over two decades ago.
"I was there in '96 when they lost to the Packers (in the Super Bowl)," said Mulkigian, an Exeter resident. "I was there in the 'Snow Bowl" game against the Raiders in 2002, I was there in '02 when they beat the Rams. We were in the end zone when they beat the Carolina Panthers, and I was there when Tedy came back from his stroke."
Mulkigian had a convertible car he and his buddy painted Patriot colors and drove to a game. The Patriots were 0-2 at the time and they got to meet Bruschi. Bruschi signed the car "the season starts today." Mulkigian still has the car in his garage.
Fast forward to Wednesday night, Mulkigian won a pair of tickets to a game this season as he was the first to answer that John Hannah was the first player to be inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.
Mulkigian won the tickets and then shared the car story with Bruschi, who couldn't recall signing the car.
"To be able to say something to him was awesome," Mulkigian said. "I was standing here for like 10 minutes dying to say something."
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New England Patriots legend Tedy Bruschi shares what inspires him
