The status of the star defensive player has been in doubt since he suffered a stroke in February.

09:58 AM EDT on Thursday, July 21, 2005

BY TOM E. CURRAN
Journal Sports Writer

He tried.

Journal file photo / Mary Murphy

Tedy Bruschi sacks Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb in the first quarter of the Pats' 24-21 Super Bowl XXXIX victory in Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 6.

But yesterday afternoon, five months after suffering a mild stroke days after playing in his first Pro Bowl, New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi announced that he won't play in 2005.

The news comes fast on the heels of a Tuesday night report on The New England Cable News Channel that said Bruschi was "90 percent likely" to play this year.

Speculation about Bruschi's plans has been rampant since he suffered the stroke at his North Attleboro home on Feb. 16. While much of it was optimistic that he would return this year, Bruschi -- irked by what he felt was media intrusiveness in the days following his stroke -- never commented on his ultimate plans.

Patriots spokesman Stacey James issued the announcement, saying in part, "With the Patriots' training camp reporting date now just over a week away, Tedy has reached a decision on his playing status for the upcoming season and has declared his intentions to forgo the 2005 campaign."

"All off-season, 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, 32, has been a fixture in the middle of the Patriots defense since midway through the 2001 season when he moved to middle linebacker after a November loss to the St. Louis Rams. The Patriots have gone 52-11 since then, winning three out of the past four Super Bowls, and Bruschi became the most recognizable member of a somewhat faceless but brilliantly efficient crew.

After hearing the news yesterday, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison said, "We're going to be missing a valuable and talented guy, an incredible leader and a great, great football player. You can't replace Tedy and what he's done. I'm extremely disappointed but happy he's doing better and that he'll be able to be with his family and kids and live a good, everyday normal life. That's what it's about, not risking his life and family."

Bruschi is married and the father of three young sons.

When stricken, Bruschi suffered partial paralysis and slurred speech and was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital. Two days later, he was released and walked with assistance to a waiting limousine.

He reportedly underwent surgey in March to repair a small hole in his heart, which was discovered during medical exams subsequent to his stroke. Sources close to the player have said that there was no connection between the heart defect and the stroke.

The secrecy surrounding Bruschi's decision whether to play or not this season was apparently driven in part by his ire over having his home besieged by Boston TV stations after his stroke.

He was further angered when it was reported by an Arizona TV station that he was undergoing heart surgery and when a Boston TV station captured him playing in his backyard with one of his sons.

Since late spring, Bruschi has been rehabilitating at Gillette Stadium. It's not known how vigorous his workouts have been but he appeared physically fit when he appeared at the Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park in April and when he received his Super Bowl XXXIX ring at the home of team owner Robert Kraft last month.

He participated in team meetings and helped instruct the cadre of linebackers the team imported during the off-season. Even though he didn't participate in last month's minicamp, the most likely scenario seemed to have Bruschi beginning the season on the "non-football injury" list. That would have made him eligible to join the team after the sixth week of the season.

In his brief comments since the stroke, Bruschi emphasized that he was working on improving his health and working through his decision with his family on whether to play this season.

"He made his decision and he did what's best," said Harrison. "As long as he's comfortable, that's what matters."

From a football standpoint, it's clear the team has prepared somewhat to take the field without him. They obtained veterans Chad Brown and Monty Beisel and are working them as inside linebackers. The Patriots have also worked linebacker Mike Vrabel inside during mini-camp. And they drafted a 3-4 inside linebacker named Ryan Claridge.

How will Bruschi's absence this season affect the team's performance?

"We'll deal with it," said Harrison. "We have no choice. I think we'll work even harder and focus even more understanding that we're missing the key guy in the middle. But anytime someone is injured or hurt, you have to go on.

Even if Bruschi had wanted to return this season, there were several legal and medical issues to consider. Would any doctor give a player who suffered a stroke that caused temporary paralysis just five months ago clearance to play?

And, even if cleared to play by a physician, would the Patriots have allowed him to play or ask him to sign a waiver?

Finally, if Bruschi had gone on the "non-football injury" list, he would have been declaring his stroke was not caused by playing football. It's unknown whether that has been established.

The Patriots have gone through some drastic change since Super Bowl XXXIX. The team's offensive and defensive coordinators have taken jobs elsewhere. Longtime corner Ty Law is gone. Now Bruschi won't be playing. His absence on the field and as the team's heart and conscience will have an impact.

"I'll miss him and I'm disappointed he won't be in front of me," said Harrison, "but he'll be there in spirit."