Tedy Bruschi Declares What Tua Tagovailoa Is Really Thinking After Injury

Former New England Patriots All-Pro linebacker Tedy Bruschi shared a personal perspective on Sunday morning, September 15, connecting his own experiences with injuries to those of Tua Tagovailoa, who recently suffered another concussion against the Buffalo Bills last Thursday.

Bruschi, who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, endured a life-threatening stroke in 2005, just days after playing in the Pro Bowl.

At the time, he was only 31. His stroke was linked to a heart condition known as patent foramen ovale (PFO), a small hole in the heart that can allow clots to travel to the brain.

Reflecting on Tagovailoa's struggles, Bruschi made it clear that the mental and emotional toll can be just as challenging as the physical recovery.

"When I had my stroke, I could not see in the left field vision of both of my eyes," Bruschi said. "To me, I was done."

Despite the overwhelming adversity, Bruschi fought back. Many expected him to retire, but after months of rehabilitation and receiving medical clearance, he returned to the field less than a year later, playing four more seasons before retiring in 2009.

"But you get better, and I'm sure that Tua is having these same thoughts also," Bruschi added. "The other thing you think about is this — I can't go out like that."

Tagovailoa has now faced three significant concussions since the start of the 2022 season, with the first occurring in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

He was carted off after a terrifying hit, followed by another concussion in Week 16 versus the Green Bay Packers, which ended his season. The most recent came in the game against the Buffalo Bills this year after a hit by safety Damar Hamlin.

Bruschi’s reflections shed light on the internal struggles that both he and Tagovailoa have faced. While Tagovailoa’s future may seem uncertain to some, reports say that he has no plans to retire at this time.

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