By Cynthia De Castro
FEBRUARY 15, 2008
Asianjournal.com
NFL Hero is FilAm
(ERRATUM: The Asian Journal (AJ) wishes But as his vision came back and doctors
to clarify the error in attribution inadvertently saw his progress, it became OK to think about
included in this article that came out in getting back on the field. After having surgery
the February 9 weekend issue. In the third to repair a hole in his heart, Bruschi vigorously
paragraph of said article, it said “...Tedy Lacap began an improbable comeback.
Bruschi (pronounced Brew-ski), the first Filipino Last year, Bruschi wrote a book about his
American to play in the NFL.” experience with his stroke and his recovery,
For the record, it was Los Angeles Rams’ entitled Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery,
Roman Gabriel (1962-72) who owns that and My Return to the NFL. In his memoir,
distinction. The sentence should have read as Bruschi spoke with candor about how his family
“Tedy Lacap Bruschi (pronounced Brew-ski), the confronted the reality of his life-threatening
only Filipino American to play in Super Bowl affliction, his initial plans to retire from the NFL,
XLII.” In any case, AJ regrets the error. Following and the moment that he told his wife that he
is a reprint of the article with revised text.) was ready to play football again.
On October 16, 2005, it was announced that
LOS ANGELES — In America, the championship Bruschi had been medically cleared to resume
game of the National Football League (NFL) playing football. He rejoined the team on the
called the Super Bowl is the most-watched US practice field three days later. The Patriots
television broadcast. officially activated him on October 29. Bruschi’s
This season, the New England Patriots made first game back was Oct. 30 against Buffalo, and
an astounding record-breaking performance he had 10 tackles in the victory. It was almost as
in NFL history, with a flawless record of 17 wins if he had never been away from the game.
and zero losses that qualified them for the “I’ll always remember being on the field and
championship game in Super Bowl XLII. starting next to Tedy that game after he came
One of the most outstanding Patriots in
Patriots defense for a decade. But more than
back from a stroke,” fellow linebacker Mike
NFL history is linebacker Tedy Lacap Bruschi
his achievements in the League, Bruschi’s
Vrabel recalled. “I remember the reaction from
(pronounced Brew-ski), the only Filipino
personal success made him a hero in the eyes of
the fans and the reaction from the players. It
American to play in Super Bowl XLII.
Americans. Tedy’s life story has given inspiration
was special.”
Americans usually don’t use their mothers’
to many. He has exemplified the adage that
He is the first NFL player to come back to the
maiden names for their middle names. Tedy
one can overcome and beat the odds through
field after suffering a stroke, and was named the
Bruschi was once asked in an interview if his
courage, perseverance and hard work.
2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He also
“unique middle name” had any special meaning.
In 2005, Bruschi was at his peak - he had just
won the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award
Bruschi answered, “It happens to be my mother’s
won 3 Super Bowls and was playing his first Pro
and now serves as one of the Patriots’ team
maiden name. Her name was Juanita Lacap
Bowl. He had a great family life with his wife,
captains.
before she married my dad. My sister, my brother
Heidi, and their three young sons, Tedy Jr., Rex
Today, fully recovered and back at the Super
and I all have the same middle name. It’s sort of a
and Dante.
Bowl as one of the unbeaten New England
way of showing respect to your mother’s family.
A few days after the Pro Bowl, Bruschi awoke
Patriots’ defensive leaders, Tedy has become a
That way the Lacap name can live on.”
with a strange numbness in his left arm and
spokesman for the American Stroke Association.
Bruschi’s mother is Juanita Lacap, a Filipina
leg. He tried to fight the numbness, thinking
A symbol of inspiration, especially to stroke
who married Anthony Bruschi Sr., an American of
that he had slept on his side wrong. But soon
survivors.
Italian descent. Their marriage ended in divorce
after, his head began to ache and his vision
“People have talked to me about being an
when Bruschi, the youngest of three children,
became blurry. Heidi called 911 and the greatest
inspiration to them and a lot of stroke survivors
was only five years old. Lacap later married Ron
challenge of Bruschi’s life began.
talk to me. I respect that and I am humbled by
Sandys, a professional tennis player.
Bruschi, then 31 and in top physical shape,
it. It is something that I am proud to call myself:
A 12-year veteran of the NFL, Bruschi has
had suffered a stroke. His affliction was traced
a stroke survivor,” he said. “My doctors tell me
played his entire career with the New England
to a congenital heart defect. He suffered partial
that their patients light up every time they tell
Patriots. He is the only player in NFL history
paralysis and endured months of rehabilitation.
somebody, ‘This is the same thing Ted Bruschi
to return four consecutive interceptions for
Many assumed that his football career would
went through. If he can get back to playing
touchdowns and the only Patriots linebacker to
be over, but not Bruschi. He worked through
professional football, then you can be a normal,
return multiple interceptions for scores in a single
months of intense physical therapy. He started
functioning human being also,’” Tedy added.
season. His career total, four picks returned for
the long road back to normalcy, which initially
Bruschi’s inspirational story has made him a
scores, ranks second in Patriots history. He is tied
did not include football. His motivation included
hero to Americans. But the fact that he is half-
for fourth in NFL history among linebackers.
being able to play with his boys and taking on a
Filipino and proud of it makes him especially
Tedy has been the heart and soul of the
nebulous front-office job with New England.
more to his fellow Filipinos. (AJ)
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