A Perfect Player: Bruschi Announces Retirement

Tedy Bruschi, the beloved New England Patriots linebacker who has served as the team's heart and backbone over the course of 13 seasons, announced his retirement from football during a Gillette Stadium press conference a short time ago.

"There is a sign when you come into this facility that says 'Do Your Job'. I did my job for 13 years. Now my job is done," Bruschi said to wrap up his announcement. "My job is done. I'm looking forward to living the rest of my life."

Bruschi's retirement, which was first reported during last night's NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast, prompted Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to lower his characteristically steely exterior and show genuine emotion at the end of his player's professional career.

"How do I sum it up? How do I feel about Tedy Bruschi in five seconds?" Belichick said at the end of a long recap of Bruschi's career and qualities. "He's a perfect player. He's helped create a tradition here we're all proud of."

Both Bruschi and Belichick's voices were heard cracking during radio broadcast of the press conference. We've received reports from those watching live video feed of the conference that both men had tears in their eyes over the course of the press conference. When Belichick finished with his remarks about Bruschi, the two men embraced.

Bruschi, of course, has long been one of the faces of Patriots football. He was a member of the team not only during all three of the Patriots' Super Bowl championships, but also five conference titles, eight division crowns and nine playoff seasons. In 2005, the Pro Bowl player returned to football after a stroke that easily could have ended his career.

Patriots fans everywhere will celebrate Bruschi today, but if we may editorialize for a moment, we think that fans of any sport can see the magic in a man who played his entire career with one organization and decided to leave at the right moment. Other players ought to take note today. We wish Tedy a happy retirement and thank him for the memories.