TUCSON, Ariz. – Former Arizona defensive standout Tedy Bruschi has been selected to the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Bruschi will be honored at the National Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner in New York at the Waldorf Astoria on Tues., Dec. 10, 2013.
Bruschi is the fourth Arizona player to join the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining Ricky Hunley (1998), Chuck Cecil (2009) and Rob Waldrop (2011).
Others in the Class of 2013 are quarterbacks Tommy Frazier (Nebraska), Vinny Testaverde (Miami), Don Trull (Baylor) and Danny Wuerffel (Florida); running backs Ted Brown (North Carolina State) and Ron Dayne (Wisconsin); end Steve Meilinger (Kentucky); offensive tackle Orlando Pace (Ohio State); linebackers Rod Shoate (Oklahoma) and Percy Snow (Michigan State); defensive back Jerry Gray (Texas) and coaches Wayne Hardin (Navy, Temple) and Bill McCartney (Colorado).
With Bruschi as a key component, Arizona's Desert Swarm defense led the nation in scoring defense in 1992. In 1993, Desert Swarm led the nation in rushing defense and defined a squad that achieved UA’s first 10-victory season, defeating Miami, 29-0, in the Fiesta Bowl. Bruschi was named Fiesta Bowl MVP.
Bruschi (1991-95) ended his career with 52 sacks, tied for the most in NCAA history. He was a consensus All-American in 1994 and a unanimous All-American in 1995.
Bruschi’s celebrated senior season included the 1995 Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year honors and winning the Morris Trophy as the league’s best defensive lineman. He was a two-time finalist for the Lombardi Award and graduated with 74 tackles for loss, which ranked sixth in FBS history. Bruschi was named all-conference three times and he led the Wildcats to three bowl berths under head coach Dick Tomey.
The San Francisco native was a third-round selection by the New England Patriots in the 1996 NFL Draft. Bruschi enjoyed a 13-year career, winning three Super Bowls with the franchise. The Pro Bowler was named the Associated Press’ Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 following a stroke.
A committed spokesman and advocate for stroke survivors, Bruschi founded Tedy’s Team, in conjunction with the American Stroke Association, which has raised more than $1.5 million. He wrote a book, “Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL,” detailing his NFL comeback after his own stroke in 2005. Bruschi is also an active participant in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting wishes for numerous children through the organization. Bruschi currently works as an NFL analyst on ESPN.
