Belichick Finally Learns of What You Humans Call 'Emotions'

Effusive is probably the last descriptor you'd use on Bill Belichick. In fact, "completely devoid of emotion" is a pretty decent summation of his demeanor at any given time. But there he was today at the press conference announcing Tedy Bruschi's retirement from the NFL after 13 memorable years with the Patriots. The tone of Belichick's mumbling was unsteady and he was audibly sniffing during his introduction of Bruschi . He didn't go into all-out with T.O.-like tears, but you could tell he was broken up about it. And for Belichick, that's equivalent to a massive outpouring of emotion.

"If you asked me to sum it up, how do I feel about Tedy Bruschi in five seconds - he's the perfect player," Belichick said, his voice noticeably cracking. "He's the perfect player. He's helped create a tradition here that we're all proud of. The torch has been passed. We'll try to carry it on. It's a high standard. It's a high standard."

Bruschi, in turn, was no less laudatory of his now former coach, saying "he taught me how to win." And apparently also how to love.

Bruschi, obviously, along with Tom Brady, Mike Vrabel, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison and Willie McGinest, was an integral part of the early decade Patriots dynasty. His arrival in 1996 coincided largely with the Patriots ascendency as an organization, so it's understandable that his departure would be, if not exactly the end of an era, a very large milestone nonetheless.

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