GIVING BACK: Patriot leaves an impact

Tedy Bruschi participates in Reading Week

Tedy Bruschi is one of the most intense players on the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots, but off the field, the eight-year NFL veteran, and husband and father of two, is fairly low key.

Bruschi, who lives in Las Vegas in the offseason, turned down myriad interview requests and appearances in the wake of New England's second Super Bowl title in three years, but did accept an invitation, from a high school acquaintance, to take part in the recent Nevada Reading Week.

Bruschi, who bought a home in Silverado Ranch three years ago, spent a couple of hours reading "The Night I Followed My Dog" to a second-grade and fifth-grade class at Watson Elementary School in North Las Vegas.

"I thought it was a great idea. Reading to kids is something I love to do," said Bruschi, who also brought along his Super Bowl XXXVI ring, helmet and jersey. "I think, sometimes, you forget how exciting football is to younger kids, and sports in general, but going out and talking to kids rekindles my love for the sport."

Lorna Tobias, who was in charge of the reading week at the school, was impressed by Bruschi's attitude.

"He was really down to earth and very friendly," she said. "He was just really family oriented. He seemed like just an average person to me. He seemed like he really enjoyed it and the kids really enjoyed it.

"He expressed to the kids that he loved to read and hoped they'd become lifelong readers. That was not something I asked him to do, but it was a good message."

The message seemed to get through to fifth-grader Celestina Cubio-Torres and her younger brother Manny, a second-grader. Their mother, Becki Cubio-Torres, went to Roseville High School with Bruschi, near Sacramento, Calif., and invited him to take part in the event.

"It was cool having someone our mom knew from high school coming to read to us, and having someone from a (pro) football team telling us to read," Celestina said. "It was really fun, having him tell us it's real good to read and to follow your dreams. I love reading."

Manny, an Oakland Raiders fan, enjoyed checking out Bruschi's helmet.

"We got to hold his football helmet," the second-grader said. "He told us we have to read a lot, because if we don't, we won't get to our goals in life."

Bruschi, who has been married for seven years to his wife, Heidi, with whom he has two sons, Tedy Jr., and Rex, has been coming to Las Vegas in the offseason since 1992, when his mother and brother moved to the area.

At the time, Bruschi, 6-foot 1 and 247 pounds, was a defensive end at the University of Arizona, where he was a three-time all-American and two-time finalist for the Lombardi Trophy, given annually to the top lineman in the nation.

Bruschi set a school record with 19 sacks as a sophomore and finished his career with 52 sacks, which tied the NCAA Division 1-A career record with the late Derrick Thomas, a former Alabama and Kansas City Chiefs standout.

Bruschi, drafted in the third round in 1996 by the Pats, wasn't big enough to play defensive line in the NFL, so he carved a niche on the team as a role player, eventually making himself invaluable, earning a starting linebacker spot and title of defensive captain.

"It was a tough adjustment (to the NFL), but I felt I established a role right away, rushing the passer," he said. "I was a situational pass rusher, on third down, and played on special teams.

"That role kept me on the team and I learned the linebacker position in the meantime, so when that chance came, I was ready."

The high-energy Bruschi scored his first touchdown, on any level, his rookie year and, that same season, had two sacks in Super Bowl XXXI against the Green Bay Packers.

Bruschi appeared in every game his first three seasons and then made a career-high 138 tackles in 1999, when he started 14 games at outside linebacker. He added 105 tackles in 2000, when he started all 16 games at weakside linebacker.

Bruschi returned two interceptions for touchdowns in each of the last two campaigns, and came up with seven of his eight career picks in the last three years.

He had three interceptions this season, when he made 131 tackles, and returned one for a touchdown in a 12-0 shutout of the Miami Dolphins that clinched the AFC East title.

Bruschi, who has 21 1/2 career sacks and has played in three Super Bowls with the Patriots, said winning this year's Super Bowl proved the Patriots are for real.

"I think this one proved our first championship was no accident," he said. "This year we proved we can not only win a championship, but do it in dominant fashion. Winning 15 in a row is all you have to say about that."

Bruschi said he loves playing in the snow, but not living in it, which is one reason he moved to Las Vegas. He said he enjoys simply spending time with his family in the offseason.

"Once the season ends, it's time to spend time with your family," he said. "I keep a low profile out here. I like seeing shows and seeing what Vegas offers besides gambling.

"My wife and I saw Luciano Pavarotti at Caesars Palace and that will probably be the highlight of my offseason. I like that type of music."

Bruschi, who said he likes to listen to Bruce Springsteen before games, will turn 31 in June and just wants to keep improving on the gridiron.

"My individual goals are simple. Every year I try to improve upon last year," he said. "It will be my ninth year next year and I've done that every year, improved as a football player and linebacker. I just had my best year as a pro and I'll try to build on that for next year."


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