Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi suffered a mild stroke caused by a broken blood vessel in his head and remained hospitalized while doctors continue to monitor his condition.
Bruschi, 31, who returned from his first Pro Bowl last Sunday in Hawaii, was taken by ambulance to the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston Wednesday with a severe headache, partial paralysis and blurred vision in one eye. The partial paralysis and vision problems apparently have resolved themselves.
“Tedy is in good condition and, as always, his spirits are high,” said a Patriots spokesman in a prepared statement.
“He is walking and talking normally and stressed that he would like to thank everyone for keeping him and his family in their prayers. The outpouring of support has been overwhelming and the Bruschi family is very appreciative.”
The Patriots also said Bruschi could be out of the hospital Friday afternoon. It was unclear if the stroke threatened his playing career.
Bruschi’s wife, Heidi, became suspicious that something was wrong Wednesday and called 911.
“He’s having blurred vision, numbness on the right side of his body,” she was heard telling a dispatcher on a tape of the call.
Doctors are trying to determine if he had a cerebral hemorrhage or arterial dissection, which is a tear in the lining of an artery.
When such a tear develops in the carotid or vertebral arteries, the flow of blood between the layers of the torn vessels might cause the artery to close entirely, affecting blood flow to the certain areas of the brain.
According to a University of California at San Francisco Web site, arterial dissection is the leading cause of stroke in young people and some of the various causes include trauma to the head or neck. Dissections also occur spontaneously.
Bruschi, a nine-year veteran, made a crucial fourth-quarter interception of Donovan McNabb in the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6 in Jacksonville.
He was a three-time AFC Defensive Player of the Week, including after the Patriots’ 20-3 divisional playoff victory over the Indianapolis Colts, in which he had two fumble recoveries. A second team Associated Press All-Pro selection, he ranked second on the team with 128 tackles and tied for second with three interceptions.
Bruschi is one of the most popular and affable players on the Patriots, a team leader and spokesman who endeared himself to millions of fans Super Sunday by being filmed walking the field with two of his three sons, Tedy Jr. and Rex.
He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated during the playoffs.
