Patriots LB Bruschi announces retirement

Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi announced his retirement from football Monday after a 13-year NFL career.

The Patriots, for whom Bruschi played his entire career, held a news conference Monday morning, where team owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick spoke warmly of the iconic Patriot.

"I've had the opportunity to coach a lot of great players over the years and I'll put Tedy above all of them," said an emotional Belichick. "[He's] the epitome of everything you want in a football player. If you asked me to sum up Tedy Bruschi in five seconds...I'd say he's the perfect player. He helped create a tradition here that we are all proud of."

Bruschi helped anchor a defense that was instrumental in New England's three Super Bowl titles spanning four seasons. During his tenure with the team, New England made the playoffs nine times with eight division championships and five conference titles. The 36-year-old one-time Pro Bowl selection holds the franchise record for most postseason games with 22.

"After 13 years of Patriot football, I'm retiring. Every player's career is going to have a beginning, middle and an end, and today is my end. This is a celebration today. I'm in a great place," remarked Bruschi.

"I had a different career. I have moments that I'll remember for the rest of my life, the Patriots, the fans. Being a Patriot my entire career, I'm very proud of. When you come in this facility there's a sign -- it says do your job. I did my job for 13 years and my job is done."

Bruschi totaled 1,138 tackles, 30 1/2 sacks and 12 interceptions in his career with the Patriots. He was the league's Co-Comeback Player of the Year (with Carolina's Steve Smith) in 2005 after returning to play following a mild stroke.

Last year, Bruschi played in 13 games with 12 starts, recording 75 tackles. He most recently played in the Patriots' preseason game against Washington on Friday, recording one tackle.

A former defensive end at Arizona, Bruschi tied the NCAA Division I-A sack record with 52 during his time with the Wildcats. He was a two-time All- American (1994, 1995) and was selected in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft by New England.

Source: sportsnetwork.com