Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL - Softcover

Bruschi, Tedy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0470373547 ISBN 13: 9780470373545

Publisher: Trade Paper Press, 2008

Synopsis

Tedy gives you something to believe in. Whether we're winning or losing, he holds his head high, and he knows himself and handles himself so well, others can't help but follow him. The way he practices and plays forces you to become a better teammate; the way he demands hustle and toughness forces you to become a better leader; and the way he carries himself inspires you to become a better person. This made his return to playing on October 30 against Buffalo all the more electrifying. The stadium was louder that night than the nights we had raised our Super Bowl banners. Our captain, our leader, our inspiration was back on the field doing what he loved to do. Tedy had spent months rehabbing, had countless doctor visits, and had undergone hundreds of tests trying to play again. Just eight months after our victory in Super Bowl XXXIX, here we were celebrating a much bigger victory on our home field. Sure it was great to win the game, but that night we were celebrating Tedy's return as he showed us teammates, fans, family, and friends what it takes to become victorious in life.

You might be coming to this book as a fan of Tedy's football skills and, don't get me wrong, gaining the insights of one of the best defenders in Patriots history is worth the price of admission, but that's just part of the story. There are a lot of reasons to look up to him, and I promise you will finish this book with an admiration for him on a much deeper level.""
--Tom Brady (from the Foreword)

About this title

From the Inside Flap:

Never Give Up

As a linebacker for the New England Patriots, who had just won their third Super Bowl in four years, Tedy Bruschi was no stranger to pain or to overcoming a challenge. But even eleven years in the NFL had not prepared him for what happened at four o'clock in the morning on February 16, 2005. Tedy awoke with an intense headache and was forced to crawl to the bathroom because his left arm and leg were not working very well. Seven hours later—as he lay on an ER gurney, his vision blurred, his arm and leg useless—he was stunned to learn that he had had a stroke. A few days later, he confessed to his family and his team that he believed his football-playing days were over.

In Never Give Up, Tedy Bruschi tells the powerful and inspiring story of the day when everything he believed about himself and his future was turned upside down, and how its long and grueling aftermath challenged his faith, his marriage, and his career. From the heartbreak of being warned by doctors not to pick up his children to the terrifying prospect of heart surgery, Tedy paints a vivid portrait of the obstacles faced by stroke survivors. He reveals how he and his family coped with the physical and emotional challenges of this life-threatening event, and how, with help from dedicated medical professionals and excellent modern treatment and therapy, he was able to rejoin the team just eight months later—earning him a share of the Comeback Player of the Year Award and full ownership of the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award.

Now Tedy is on a mission. One of the first things he discovered while in the hospital was that much of the damage caused by his stroke could have been prevented, had he sought medical attention sooner. His goal is to raise public awareness of what a stroke is, how to recognize stroke symptoms, and the importance of early intervention in minimizing stroke effects.

Tedy also has a vital message for stroke survivors: You can do it. You can take charge of your recovery, reclaim your life, and achieve the goals you set for yourself before disaster struck. It won't be easy; it will be the hardest thing you've ever done, but you'll have plenty of help. You'll have the expert care of highly trained doctors and therapists, the loving support of family and friends, and the inspiring example of Tedy Bruschi's unforgettable memoir, Never Give Up.

From the Back Cover:

The triumphant bestseller—now in paperback!

"Never Give Up . . . is Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi's account of the stroke he suffered in '05. Bruschi's recreation of his illness is compelling, as is his rationalization of why he came back and his response to those who said he shouldn't."
—Sports Illustrated

"[Bruschi's] goal was to tell his story and raise awareness about the warning signs of strokes. Much like his comeback, Bruschi succeeds on both counts."
—The Boston Globe

"There are all sorts of subplots within the larger New England Patriots success story, none more worthy of exploring for inspirational reasons than the one involving Bruschi."
—Toronto Star

"His story is a compelling and convincing one that will appeal to both football fans and those affected by strokes."
—Publishers Weekly

In Never Give Up, New England Patriots star Tedy Bruschi tells the powerful and uplifting story of his amazing comeback from a stroke and rapid return to the game. He reveals how he faced overwhelming physical and emotional challenges on his remarkable road to recovery and shares the invaluable insights he gained along the way. Inspiring and deeply human, Never Give Up is a testament to courage and hope from a true champion on and off the field.

About this edition

• Publisher: Trade Paper Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0470373547
• ISBN 13: 9780470373545
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304