Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL

by Tedy Bruschi, Tedy Bruschi

Tedy gives you something to believe in. Whether we're winning or losing, he holds his head high, and he knows himself and handles himself so well, others can't help but follow him. The way he practices and plays forces you to become a better teammate; the way he demands hustle and toughness forces you to become a better leader; and the way he carries himself inspires you to become a better person. This made his return to playing on October 30 against Buffalo all the more electrifying. The stadium was louder that night than the nights we had raised our Super Bowl banners. Our captain, our leader, our inspiration was back on the field doing what he loved to do. Tedy had spent months rehabbing, had countless doctor visits, and had undergone hundreds of tests trying to play again. Just eight months after our victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, here we were celebrating a much bigger victory on our home field. Sure it was great to win the game, but that night we were celebrating Tedy's return as he showed us teammates, fans, family, and friends what it takes to become victorious in life.

You might be coming to this book as a fan of Tedy's football skills and, don't get me wrong, gaining the insights of one of the best defenders in Patriots history is worth the price of admission, but that's just part of the story. There are a lot of reasons to look up to him, and I promise you will finish this book with an admiration for him on a much deeper level.""
--Tom Brady (from the Foreword)

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Football, Biography, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Autobiography

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Is there a better way to honor and celebrate Patriot Day, than with our very own Patriots All-Star? One of the most celebrated NFL players of our time, Tedy Bruschi has played in four (and won three!) superbowls during his 11 years with the New England Patriots. In his first book ever, Tedy discusses his stroke, recovery, and determination to return to the NFL. We hope you will join us for this special event, and for your opportunity to meet such an inspirational man. "

Reviews

[Luke Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never give up was a very inspiring story to read. It taught me many things I did not know about during tedy bruschi's stroke. As a patriots fan I followed all the stories on him but it was very cool to see his side of the story. All though it was not the best written book, it still had a great story and meaning behind it.

[Rockobarocco · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5*

[C Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a lifelong fan of the New England Patriots it goes without saying that one of my favorite players has always been Tedy Bruschi. In the era of free agency when so many players switch teams, players that have been with the Patriots for a while become household names in my house. While it may seem silly or odd for a grown man, I remember when I first heard Bru had a stroke. I sat down and watched a tape of the New England win over the Philadelphia Eagles, at times teary eyed believing that Bru had seen his last snap on the football field. I thought there was no way he was going to be able to come back from a stroke. I consoled myself saying at least he got to play in four Super Bowls and was sitting on three Super Bowl rings on a team many consider a dynasty. Some great players, like Dan Marino, never won one. But I digress. Suffice it to say I am biased in this review. I am unabashedly a New England Patriots fan and an even bigger fan of Tedy Bruschi than I was before, if that’s even possible.

In this book Tedy tells his story the way he wants it told unfiltered by the media. It’s about his stroke, the emotionally draining and frightening experience of his recovery, and his difficult decision to come back and play professional football. It’s not about the Xs and Os of the game or recounting a season, but there is plenty about football, the New England Patriots, and what it means to be a professional football player. This is a can’t miss read for any football fan.

This book is extremely well organized. While it is mainly about his recovery and return to football you learn a little about his childhood and growing up in a not quite impoverished, not quite middle-class, broken family in San Francisco. You learn a lot more about his home life and his wife and children and what it was like for them as he recovered from the stroke. And you learn a lot about what his teammates, the Patriots organization, and winning means to him.

Some of the highlights of the book include his impatience with his recovery and a bit of fear at ever regaining his vision and motor skills. It was clearly a tough road back. But the most revealing part of the book was his return to football. I was a fan who was totally jacked up that Bru was returning to the field and assumed that he and the Patriots organization did due diligence to ensure that there was no danger to him before taking the field. But one can never really know what an emotionally gut wrenching decision this was for his family, particularly his wife. Nor did I realize to just what lengths not only he, but his wife and Robert Kraft, went to to make sure it was the right decision. He got multiple opinions from different doctors, not only at the insistence of his wife but the Patriots as well. Of course his wife didn’t want him debilitated on the football field because she loves him. And the Patriots didn’t either, and I’m sure they had his best interests in mind, but let’s face it, the liability and bad publicity for the team that would have ensued had something bad happened would have been a severely damaging blow to the entire organization. And while I followed some of the negative press about Tedy’s return, I should have realized how that got to him and I never really knew that New England fans thought he was crazy. He tells, in great detail, just what an emotional, difficult road it was to get back on the football field. I have screamed “Bru, Bru, Bru, Bru, Bru” in front of my television many, many times, but never so loud as I did when he returned to the field against the Buffalo Bills on a Sunday night in October 2005.

But the bottom line is that Tedy returned to football because he is a football player and that is what he does and it was clear from his doctors that he was in no significant danger. He also returned and felt pressure to perform well to be an inspiration to other stroke victims – not that everyone can necessarily fully recover from a stroke – some aren’t as lucky as Tedy. But as Tedy puts it, for stroke victims, “who they are now, not what they were or hoped to be, is okay” using the words of Trisha Meili, the Central Park Jogger who was brutally raped, beaten and left for dead, and is one of his inspirations. For Bru it could have been “who I am now, a devoted father and family man working in the front of office of the New England Patriots but not a football player, not what I was or hoped to be, a football player fighting to win a fourth Super Bowl, is okay.” Bruschi realizes he was lucky in his recovery and sends out a message of hope, for those who aren’t so lucky, to fight through, saying “what you make of your life afterward” despite any impairments you suffer from, is what matters.

Tedy also talks about football and how much winning means to him. Getting back to normal for him was to not thinking about his stroke anymore but just go out and do his best to help his team win games. His coming full circle was not having the media or fans have a pity party for him. One of the best stories he relays in the book was several games after his comeback and after coach Bill Belichick lost his father, the coach said:

You know what I’m tired of? I’m tired of all the feel good stories abut the Patriots. Bruschi is part of it, and I guess I’m part of it too. Do you know what would be a great feel good story? If we go out on Sunday and beat the Jets.”

For the Patriots, and Tedy, that meant, “let’s get back to normal,” especially since they were, at least by our standards, struggling.

I could go on and on but I will end with two things. First, and least important, Tedy talks about how emotionally upset he was after the New England loss to Denver the year of his comeback, ending their two year run as Super Bowl champions and the chance to make history by winning three in a row. I’m glad he was upset because I was too. I was depressed, physically and mentally, for a week. I know it’s silly but luckily I have friends who are PATS fans who are the same way. I always tell myself I shouldn’t be upset because the players just go and cash their fat paychecks and don’t really care one way or the other. It’s good to know that it’s not true all the time.

Second, and more importantly, a big reason Bru wrote this book was to educate people about strokes, especially their early symptoms so they can be caught as soon as possible and do the least damage, and to provide some inspiration for people who have suffered from strokes.

But Tedy is an inspiration to us all.

[Kay Gee · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fellow stroke survivor, found this book relatable .. even tho he was a football player. Easy, quick read. Finished in one day.

[T.J. Millar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luv foobaww

[Bill Eskilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting account of Tedy Bruschi's perseverance and determination to get back to playing in the NFL after his stroke. Lots of insight of what a player is going through prepping for and playing in a game.

[Justin Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granted i didn't really know all that much about Tedy Bruschi as player never mind as a human being, i would honestly say that i thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from Page 1 to the last. In my honest & sometimes humble opinion, i would say that you don't even have to be a pats fan in order to read this book. I bought this book, as i usually do on my Nook Color and decided to jump in shortly after i finished reading my previous book. I learned a lot about Tedy as a man/father/brother/husband/son. One of the things that i admire most about Tedy was that despite having some dark days and some doubts about himself & his health that through it all, he gave credit and thanks to the people who stood by his side through the whole entire experience and aftermath of having a stroke...which BTW was caused by a hole in his heart as a result of a birth defect. One of the other things that i enjoyed about reading thing book was that he refused to let the critics, naysayers and h*ll even the sports commentators detract him from following through with his choice of coming back to be a Patriot. I for 1 am glad that he is a role model to look up to and he also is a good example of someone who had a SERIOUS medical issue, but was about to return to his normal life of doing what he felt he was meant or born to do. If I've learned anything about Tedy Bruschi as a human being, a role model, and a stroke survivor is that no matter what, you can overcome the obstacles in your life and still be able to live your life again, just like u were before the setback.

[Henry]

Being from New England and also being a football fan, Tedy's story intrigued me. Although I have been a fan of the Patriots since I started watching football, Bruschi played professionally when I was a bit younger. His book gives insight on how life in the NFL was a decade ago, where I was not as knowledgable of the sport, but also goes into great detail about his recovery following a stroke he suffered following a Super Bowl victory. The daily struggles Bruschi endured for months were hard to read about, especially when he talks about how he was unable to do much with his young children, TJ and Rex. From cover to cover the text was well organized, beginning with the moments leading up to his stroke before describing his road ahead, his family, and eventual return to football. While it may have been disappointing that Bruschi never won another championship following his return, the story itself is tremendous. No professional football player had ever returned from a stroke and continued playing, especially not at the level at which Bruschi played. The mental and physical strength that is described throughout the story made me appreciate being healthy a lot more. Stroke survivors all over the world see Bruschi as a role model, and so do many others who have read and enjoyed this book.

[Amir Mustafa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this book a 4 star rating because it gives a great moral and teaches all readers a lesson. The moral Tedy Bruschi shows in the book is to persevere. Also, the title of the novel,"Never Give Up", shows his message in the book. Tedy had a terrible stroke and he thought his football career was over. However, he recovers from this life-threatening stroke and was able to do what he loves which was play football for the Patriots. I definitely recommend this book to anyone because it teaches a great life-lesson to anyone.

[Nick Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good book. I personally am a big fan of Tedy Bruschi and especially the New England Patriots. I learned a lot about how and where Tedy grew up and how intense his football life was. I found that the book went into a lot of detail about the physical therapy, even too much detail sometimes. It was a very well written book. I would recommend this book to any football fan, Patriots fans, or any fan of Tedy Bruschi's career.

[Nick Demarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never give up is a good book because I enjoy football an this is all about football am his career. it is very interesting how hes making a come back from his stroke an playing football again. It is a very interesting book an anyone could read this book.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never Give Up was former New England Patriots inside linebacker Tedy Bruschi's account of the stroke he suffered in early 2005, plus, there were a few chapters in the text dedicated to the 2005 and 2006 Patriots seasons. Bruschi was honest and straightforward (as he should have been as to give the book's readers a true account of what it feels like to have a stroke) on how a stroke can change and disrupt one's life.

Tom Brady sure was right when he said in the foreword of the book, "You will finish this book with an admiration for him on a much deeper level." That is so true because ever since I was a teenager or since about 1994 (Bruschi's junior year at Arizona University) I've always respected Bruschi's football career, but after reading Never Give Up I gained another layer of respect for him as a person.

The main demographics or fans of this book were Patriots fans, football fans who followed or knew of Bruschi's football career, and stroke survivors. And to a certain extent (refer to my cons of the book below) every single last one of those demographics were taken care of in this book. Bruschi wrote about his stroke in serious volume in this book, he talked about his personal life (mainly his marriage to his wife Heidi and how she dealt with his stroke), and a few seasons of Patriots football.

The first 137 or so pages of this book were dedicated to his life leading up to the stroke and the aftermath of the stroke. He started getting into his football career or at least the 2005 and 2006 portions of it starting on page 141. If you were looking for a chapter or two on his great Arizona Wildcats football career (1992-1995) you weren't going to get it. There were a few sentences here and there discussing his Wildcats career, a short mention of the year he got drafted (1996) by the Patriots, and some Super Bowl XXXIX talk which ended up being the last Super Bowl that Bruschi would ever play in before he retired after the 2008 season.

I'm glad I read this book though, because I found out (page 21) why Bruschi had a stroke in the first place. He had a hole in heart and that hole had been there in his heart since birth. I also found out in this text about his ethnicity. For years I always thought he was Native American or an Americanized Latino, but on page 35 he put it out there that he was actually Italian (his father) and Filipino (his mother). Plus, I found out on page 40 what his motivation for playing football in the first place was. I won't say it here, just read that page yourself and it may surprise you.

Pros of Never Give Up: Bruschi did his job in describing the ups and downs of dealing with a stroke. He talked about how the stroke affected him and his wife, his extended family, and his football career with the Patriots. He tried to satisfy all the tastes of those who he and the book's publisher thought would buy this book or check it out from the library.

Cons of Never Give Up: This book was pretty much about Bruschi's stroke which is not a con or knock against the book. There wasn't much football talk in the book until more than halfway through it. Plus, Bruschi was a legend in college at the University of Arizona and there was barely any mention of that stage of his football career. Barely any writing on his football career from 1996 to 2004 either.

In conclusion, Bruschi wrote this book to share with his fans and stroke survivors what he went through from the time he had his stroke in February 2005 until about 2007. I would recommend this book to stroke survivors, those at risk for a stroke, Bruschi's fans, and historical Patriots fans.

[RICK "SHAQ" GOLDSTEIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

RICK ““SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: “THIS STORY IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN FOOTBALL!”
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I am an unadulterated sports fanatic, but that’s not why I bought this book. I have nothing but admiration for the New England Patriots, from the ownership, to the coach, to the team. But I am not a Patriots fan. WHAT I AM IS: A BRAIN TUMOR SURVIVOR! I am blessed to be alive, and I thank the Lord every day, and try to help anyone who is going to be going through such an ordeal that I can. So the reason I bought this book, is because I’m nothing but a blessed “Average Joe”. Though I try to help anyone I can, because I’m an “Average Joe”, I can only help one person, here and there, at a time. But when I, and the world, heard what Tedy went through, though it was a different frightening, life changing, and or ending, medical challenge, than I faced, I wanted to read his story, to see, knowing his celebrity, how he described the effect on his life, his family, his spiritual beliefs, and with my near-death experience, I wanted to see, if he really let “us” inside.

Tedy quickly leads us through his pre-stroke life, pulling no punches, warts and all. He tells of his parents divorce, and how if he was with his Father for a weekend, his Father railed about his mother. When Tedy was with his mother, she railed about his Father. When Tedy openly admits he had a drinking problem, that kept him from being the kind of Father and husband he wanted to be, he stopped. No excuses, no whoa’s me! He just quit. In other words, the reader starts to realize that Tedy is a real man, a real human being, unlike so many of these other pampered, millionaire athletes, that figure the rules of human decency don’t apply to them.

When Tedy had a stroke, while an active member of the three-time Super Bowl champion Patriots, obviously his whole world is turned upside down. But more important than playing football, was the fact that Tedy couldn’t lift and play and wrestle with his kids. As Tedy miraculously improved physically, he started to consider, what a few months before, would have been impossible to even discuss; playing football again. This caused an enormous rift between him and his wife, and once again, Tedy doesn’t try to hide it from the public, he dedicates a chapter to it. When I faced death, and was blessed with life, people asked me if I looked at God different, or prayed more after my surgery. I said I believed and prayed before, and believed and prayed after. I said I had an old saying: “Don’t pray when it rains, if you don’t pray when the sun shines!” Tedy, in his own way, said basically the same thing. Tedy is currently active in educating people about strokes, and I hope he continues to take advantage of the large stage he has. I will continue to do the best I can, trying to help one person at a time. I got what I wanted out of this book, because Tedy opened his private life to the world. Football books are a dime a dozen, but open honesty from men like Tedy is priceless.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Tom Brady stated in the foreword, this makes you respect Tedy on a much deeper level, and I find that statement to be absolutely true. What resonated with me more, was that in this book, Tedy's mortality is shown. He deals with two potentially life altering conditions and he admits his fears. Tedy is my all time favorite Patriot, and it's sometimes hard for fans to see athletes than nothing other than that... but this book relays his story of being a normal human just like the rest of us, and having those same fears that average people have as well. I respect him for sharing his experience and making himself vulnerable. He's a class act that deserves the utmost respect. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 comes down to the final chapters, which turned into synopses of games, and I felt there wasn't 100% relevancy to the overall book.

[Jack B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title of my book was Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL by Tedy Bruschi. It is a memoir based in Massachusetts General Hospital and Foxborough, Massachusetts. The main characters in the are of course Tedy himself, his wife Heidi, and his doctor after his stroke happened, Dr. Greer.

Just weeks after winning his third Super Bowl with the New England Patriots, star linebacker Tedy Bruschi woke up in the middle of the night and could barely move the left side of his body. He woke up a couple hours later along with his wife and they eventually called 9-1-1 knowing something was wrong. Bruschi left with Heidi in the back of the ambulance. While in the hospital Bruschi figured he would never play football again, but he wa just worried if he’d be able to walk again.


I really liked this book and it was a good story of perseverance. Bruschi talks about how he was able to make the comeback. This was mainly about the stroke so it would be best for stroke survivors or people who want to know what goes through other minds when this happens.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very inspiring. The passage about Tedy expecting his wife to make him dinner sucked. But no one’s perfect. He’s done a tremendous amount for stroke symptom awareness and that is commendable. He is also very honest about his shortcomings, which is refreshing to see and sorely lacking in some other memoirs I’ve read this year.

[Kyle Heon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tedy is my all time favorite Patriot. It amazes me that I’ve had this book for probably a decade or more and just now got around to reading it. I learned quite a lot about Tedy, the Patriots and strokes in general.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this guy, honest story

[Liam Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this story incredible and inspring that after suffering something so fatal and being able to come back from it is something I find amazing.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of overcoming a stroke to continue playing professional sports at a high level.

[Simon Dube · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring story

[Stephen Micale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Micale
4/9/12
Quarter 3 Book Review

The book I read for my quarter 3 book review was “never give up” by Tedy Bruschi. It was a book about his stroke and then his recovery. The book follows his life prestroke, during his games and alter party. Then his stroke and what was happening during, like the diagnosis. Then his recovery and eventual return to the game He lovesfootball. This is a very inspirational story, that shows if you try hard enough you can accomplish anything you want, no matter what.

This book starts out with Tedy being healthy and enjoying his win in the super bowl. He just got his third ring a.nd just made a pro bowl appearance. Tedy was doing great for himself . Then he had a massive headache and had a hard time doing everyday normal things, his wife’s father immediately knew he had a stroke. Bruschi was rushed to the hospital. Once there he was diagnosed with a stroke and a hole in his heart. He stayed in the hospital for a few weeks. When it was time to get working on recovery he was told he could recover but Wouldn’t be able to play football. But he persevered and made a great recovery and went to many doctors and was finally cleared to get back to the game.

This book was really good. It was a inspirational story about Tedy who overcame tremendous odds to get back to where he was and play the game he loved. I think this book was pretty good and deserves 4 out of 5 stars. It could have been a little more better if only it was more detailed and had more too it. If it gave more detail. I also think the title was a little misleading because it says that the book is about his recovery and stroke, but the book was more of a autobiography covering his whole life. Overall this was a really enjoyable book, it was really well written especially because it was not written by a actually author. Wether you are a fan or not it is a really enjoyable book and it has become a favorite of mine. This book will inspire and motivate you to overcome the obstacles in your life and never give up.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone. It doesn’t matter if your a sports fan or not. Its just a great and inspirational story. This book is not only targeted at people who like Tedy but people who have maybe had a stroke, and need some inspiration or encouragement of even hope. But an ordinary person can read this and get a something out of it as well, they can be motivated to overcome some obstacles in their lives that may seem impossible but once you read this you will know nothing is impossible. The whole message and title of this book is to “never give up” and thats something anyone can apply to their life. So yes I would definitely recommend this to anyone, its a great enjoyable read that you will not want to put down until you turn the final page.

This book “never give up” by Tedy Bruschi is a great book. I learned a lot by about one of my favorite athletes. It also gave me the message to never give up and if you give it your all you can conquer any obstacle. I was also able to learn of the effects of a stoke and the symptoms of a stroke. This was a really great book, I truly enjoyed it. I definitely recommend it to anybody who is looking for a inspiring, and enjoyable book. This is now one of my favorite books.

[Andrew Stillwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how Tedy showed his emotions throughout the story. Tedy always stated the truth on how he felt when he was at the doctor. He stated exactly how he felt because he knew if he didn't he could get even more hurt. This book is really good and its very inspirational. Tedy inspired a lot of people who have had strokes to try to get their old life back. He showed them by proving that retrieving your old life is possible and he pushed himself in many hard trials he had to do.

[Virginia Runyon · Rating 2 out of 5]

didn't finish

[Jessica Fellows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Nasser · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is about NFL star Ted Brioschi and his adventure from a stroke to coming back to his team in new England. the things that Ted Brioschi talks about in this are first the stroke he has which when he got it and the doctor told him he wouldn’t be able to play football for a long time he was very frustrated with himself. as he was working so much just to make it back he was very determined to come back not just 100% but 1000%. when I first read this book I wasn’t really impressed on the fact that I didn’t like Ted Brioschi and I was a giants fan but as I thought about the pain and the suffering he got. I said to myself it didn’t matter what team he was on because all he wanted to do was play football and that’s what its all about. so overall I think this book was great and it teaches you to never give up.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book about 10 years ago. I've always been a big fan of Bruschi given that he is such a player that demands respect and seeing what he has gone through and returned to the NFL after having a stroke is just amazing. Just given the title of this book, I did not have the heart to give up on the book. I recently found the audio and it actually cut out 30 pages early. BUT I MUST NOT GIVE UP. I finally dug out the hard cover book and finished it!

The book was actually a fairly easy read and I'm not sure why I put it off so many years ago. It was a courageous story and I remain incredibly impressed to read the details of his comeback and to understand he has run marathon's after his retirement. I am a bit saddened to hear that he had another stroke this year. I know that he is courageously working on recovering again.

[mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you think of role model athletes and don't have Tedy Bruschi on that list now, you will after reading this book. This was a wonderful read, because it didn't feel like reading at all, if felt like having Tedy sit right next to you, telling you the story. And what a story. If any one New England Patriot football player embodies the spirit of "Do Your Job", that one person is Tedy Bruschi. He is his own worst critic and his own disciplinarian, and all of that was highlighted in his journey from player to stroke patient and back to player. He also gives copious credit to whom credit due to his wife and family, friends, coaches and teammates, and even his opposition on the field. This is an inspiring story of not just a good outcome for Tedy, but how he got to that outcome and who helped him along the way.

[Mario · Rating 4 out of 5]

My take on this book never give up by Tedy Brushchi gives his readers good deatel about him and his life. In this book he talks about how he got in to football he started playing football in the streets with his freinds. Also on who he made it to were he is now playing for the newngland patriots a team that he has won not one but 3 super bowls. he talks about somthing serios that has taken place in his life a stroke. The deatal that he give all of the readers like how he had to do all of thies recovery steps while not knowing if he will ever be the way he was. The part I liked about the book was when he talks about how football changed his life and how he would never take back the things he did to get to were he is now.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating story of a remarkable young man, with 3 young children, who suffered a stroke at the age of 31 or 32. With the help of a very supportive wife and extraordinary medical care, he physically recovered. Never intending to return to the NFL, he slowly healed and began to see that if he could play pro football again, he might be an encouragement to other stroke survivors to achieve their potential in their own recovery. He did return to football, despite receiving a storm of criticism, and has remained healthy.