I was watching SportsCenter before a test when I read it on the "Coming Up" caption on the bottom of the screen. It read "Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi suffers from stroke like symptons..." I froze. I looked around for someone to confirm what I had seen. No one fearlessly leads one of the greatest teams in the history of sports to a third Super Bowl in four years then just has a stroke, that just doesn't happen.

So I went to class, took my test and maybe one breath within an hour, on my way back to my room people were filling my head with rumors, I remember "paralyzed," "retired," and "done."

This is not the thing you want to hear when you have dreamed of just seeing the man play live. If there is one mammoth football player I identify with more than anyone its Tedy. He overcomes his small stature (for a football player), and plays with his head and his heart. I like to think that’s how I became the soccer player I am today and that’s why I admire the man so much.

Anyway, with those three words circling in front of my eyes I made my way to room and turned on every TV I could to make sure there wasn't one lying to me. I believe it was ESPN's Mike Werder at Mass General who said Bruschi suffered his mild stroke, had partial paralysis, but was stable at the time. He didn't say "retired" or "done," good man, that Werder.

Later that night my new buddy Mike came on TV again to say Bruschi's primary doctor after the stroke had gone home for the night, super news for the Super Bowl hero.

Rightfully, when Tedy was ready to leave the hospital, he agreed for pictures to be taken but no interviews would be given. I think it might have been the first time the Boston media didn't go up in arms over a turned down interview. Even the most zealous reporters had to be relieved just to see this man walking out a few days later.

"Retired" and "done" came back a few hours later when I read about a hockey player who suffered a similar stroke to Tedy's, tried to come back to the game but couldn't stay with it mentally or healthwise. His teammates were afraid to hit him, and he was afraid to be hit.

For Tedy's sake, I hope no one asks him about "retired," or "done" until he goes to Bob Kraft and tells him he is ready to decide. Football should be the farthest thing from Bruschi's mind right now. His first responsibility is to his family and his health and my thoughts are with him in a speedy recovery to life as he knew it, never mind football.

Whether those fateful words come out of Tedy's mouth or not when he makes his decision have no effect on what he has done for his team, his community, and most importantly his family.

His legacy isn't told by numbers. It is told by his effect on the people around him. He is the example for Tom Brady, Rodney Harrison, former "malcontent" Corey Dillon, and every little kid in New England.

They don't dance like Terrell Owens in their backyard after a touchdown anymore, they seek out their quarterback and thank them for making him look good.