Tedy Bruschi To Sit out 2005 NFL Season

Damn, just this morning the Boston Globe was reporting it looked like Bruschi would be playing this season - despite having a stroke in February. But the Patriots released a statement this afternoon:

"Since suffering a mild stroke on Feb. 16, 2005, Tedy Bruschi has focused on the short-term goal of getting better every day. His health has improved steadily during the past five months and Tedy continues to make daily improvements with his on-going rehabilitation. It has been an offseason of many emotional highs and lows for Tedy and his family. 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.

"The Bruschi family wanted to express their heartfelt appreciation for the tremendous outpouring of support they have received from fans throughout New England and others around the country. They also expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance provided by the entire Patriots organization. Tedy pledges to focus on his health and his family while continuing to offer on-going support to his teammates throughout the upcoming season."

Bruschi had been working out for much of the offseason at Gillette Stadium and was at last month's mini-camp, participating in the meetings, but did not in any on-field work. All this lead to plenty of speculation and hope that he was planning to return. Nothing has been said regarding plans beyond this season or if will have any sort of new role with the team for this season.

See www.patriots.com for more.