TUCSON, Ariz. — When the New England Patriots walked into the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility at the University of Arizona this week, they were greeted by a permanent tribute to one of the greatest players in franchise history: Tedy Bruschi.
Before Bruschi was a Super Bowl-winning linebacker and Patriots Hall of Famer, he was a standout defensive tackle (yes, defensive tackle) at Arizona. The Pac-10’s Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, he has both a spot in the ring of honor at Arizona Stadium and a statue outside the Wildcats’ weight room, prominently displaying his No. 68 jersey.