7. Tedy Bruschi – LB
If there was any one player who best represented the infamous “Patriot Way”, it would be former New England linebacker Tedy Bruschi. Bruschi’s first season with the Patriots was in 1996 when the team went all the way to the Super Bowl. So almost immediately, his career in the NFL was off to a good start.
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It took Bruschi until his fourth year in New England before he became a member of the team’ starting defense. After that is when his production for the Patriots began to rise to an impressive level.
From 2000 to 2008, Bruschi led all New England defenders in total tackles two times and he finished with at least 100 total tackles four times. He was also a captain of the Patriots’ defense for seven of his 10 years as a starter.
In early 2005, Bruschi suffered a mild stroke and initially announced that he wouldn’t be able to play for New England during their upcoming season. But the linebacker did the unthinkable and he was back out on the field for the Patriots’ Week 8 game against the Buffalo Bills. His return to the field that year ended up resulting in him being named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year.
Bruschi retired in 2009 and in 2013 he was voted into the Patriots Hall of Fame. The former linebacker still has the most career tackles of any defender to suit up for New England during the 21st century.