The Patriots drafted Bruschi out of Arizona in the third round of the 1996 NFL draft. (Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Super Bowl As A Rookie
The Patriots made it to the Super Bowl in Bruschi's rookie season, falling to the Green Bay Packers 35-21. Here, Bruschi sacks Packers quarterback Brett Favre. (Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport)
Snow Bowl
Bruschi sacks Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon in the famous "Snow Bowl" at Foxboro Stadium. (Credit: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)
2001 AFC Championship
Bruschi helps give head coach Bill Belichick a gatorade bath after the Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 24-17 in the 2001 AFC Championship. (Credit: Don Emmert/AFP/Getty Images)
Super Bowl XXXVI
Bruschi and the Patriots won the franchise's first Super Bowl in 2002, 20-17 over the St. Louis Rams. Bruschi had four tackles in the game. (Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Celebration In The Snow
Bruschi celebrates with fans after the Patriots beat the Miami Dolphins 12-0 at Gillette Stadium during the 2003 season. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Bruschi Spike
Bruschi spikes the ball after returning an interception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2003 season. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)
2004 AFC Championship
Bruschi celebrates with the 2004 AFC Championship trophy after the Patriots beat the Colts 24-14. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
2005 AFC Divisional Game
Bruschi recovers a fumble from the Indianapolis Colts during the AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Colts 20-3. (Photo By Elsa/Getty Images)
2004 AFC Divisional Playoff Game - Indianapolis Colts vs New England Patriots - January 16, 2005
Bruschi sacks Colts quarterback Peyton Manning during the 2004 AFC Divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Bruschi had a pair of fumble recoveries as the Patriots beat the Colts 20-3 to advance to the AFC Championship against the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
AFC Champs -- Again
Super Bowl XXXIX - Media Day - New England Patriots
Bruschi speaks with the media during media day at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida ahead of the big game against the Philadelphia Eagles. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Always Time For Family
Bruschi has some fun with his kids on the field prior to Super Bowl XXXIX at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville. (Photo by Steve Grayson/Getty Images)
Sack In Super Bowl XXXIX
Bruschi was very active in Super Bowl XXXIX, sacking Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Interception In Super Bowl XXXIX
Bruschi also picked off McNabb in Super Bowl XXXIX, as the Patriots won their second straight title with a 24-21 victory. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Another Super Bowl, Another Gatorade Bath For Bill
Bruschi got pretty good at dumping Gatorade over Bill Belichick. He did it again after New England's Super Bowl win over Philadelphia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Bruschi Returns From Stroke
Bruschi suffered a mild stroke shortly after the 2005 Pro Bowl, but eight months later he returned to the field in a regular season game against the Buffalo Bills. He was named the comeback player of the year following the season. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Welcome Back
Fans of the New England Patriots hold up a banner welcoming back linebacker Bruschi.(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Perfect Regular Season In 2007
Bruschi celebrates after the Patriots completed a perfect 16-0 regular season in 2007. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
2007 AFC Championship
Bruschi holds up the Lamar Hunt Trophy after the Patriots defeated the San Diego Chargers in the 2007 AFC Championship game. They couldn't complete the perfect season though, falling to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Hanging Them Up In 2009
Bruschi announced his retirement in August of 2009, ending his 13 year career with the Patriots. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
One Of The Greats
Bruschi finished his career with 30.5 sacks and 680 tackles. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
The INT Machine
Bruschi finished with 12 career interceptions, and is the only player in NFL history to return four straight interceptions for a touchdown. His four interception returns are tied for the second most in Patriots history. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Bruschi Honored
The Patriots honored Bruschi in 2010 at halftime of a game against the New York Jets. In August, Bruschi will take his place in the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
