ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) — Former New England Patriots linebacker and current ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi is recovering in a Massachusetts hospital after suffering a second stroke.
His family says in a statement the 46-year-old suffered the stroke Thursday and immediately recognized the warning signs of arm weakness, face drooping and speech difficulties.
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Bruschi was admitted to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, where his family said Friday he was "recovering well."
"Yesterday afternoon, Tedy had a stroke, known as a TIA. He recognized his warning signs immediately: arm weakness, face drooping and speech difficulties. Tedy is recovering well, and would like to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at Sturdy Memorial Hospital for all they have done. Tedy and his family thank you for your ongoing encouragement, and kindly ask for privacy at this time."
Bruschi had a stroke in February 2005 just days after the Patriots won the Super Bowl and learned he had a congenital heart defect that produced a hole in his heart. He had surgery to repair the hole and retired. But he sat out less than a year before returning for the seventh game of the 2005 season.
He played three more seasons with the Patriots and announced his retirement just before the start of the 2009 season. Since then, he's worked at ESPN and entered the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2013.
UPDATED (July 8):
ATTLEBORO, Mass. (AP) — Former New England Patriots linebacker and ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi says he's doing "much better" after suffering a second stroke.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Bruschi says he knew what was happening immediately last Thursday when he lost use of his left arm, began slurring his speech and his wife noticed his face was drooping.
An ambulance took Bruschi to Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
"Around 10:30am on July 4th I lost use of my left arm. I then tried to speak and realized I was slurring my speech. As I turned to my wife she noticed the left side of my face was drooping. We immediately knew what was happening. These are stroke warning signs. We called 911 and an ambulance and got me to the hospital. Thank you for all your kind thoughts and prayers. I'm doing much better."
The Instagram post includes a list of the several warning signs of a stroke that should prompt an immediate call to 911.
The 46-year-old Bruschi had a stroke in February 2005 days after the Patriots' third Super Bowl win and learned he had a congenital heart defect that produced a hole in his heart. He retired after surgery but later returned and played three more seasons for the team.
