He played 211 games for the New England Patriots, helped the team win three Super Bowl titles and is a member of the franchise’s Hall of Fame. He also knows a thing or two about the AFC Championship Game, having appeared in six of them.
Therefore, Tedy Bruschi is a logical choice to serve as honorary captain for Sunday’s game when New England hosts the Pittsburgh Steelers for the right to play in Super Bowl LI. Earlier today, the Patriots announced Bruschi serving in that capacity.
Team owner Robert Kraft had to say the following about Bruschi and naming him honorary captain for the Patriots’ 13th overall conference title game appearance:
With an undefeated record in games that we have honored him, I can't think of a more perfect player to serve as honorary captain this Sunday. He was called the perfect Patriot by head coach Bill Belichick, and he has lived up to that nickname with an 8-0 record in games where he has been a part of a Patriots celebration.
As an honorary captain, Bruschi holds a 3-0 record. He was on the field prior to the Patriots’ victories in the 2011 and the 2014 AFC title games as well as the team’s Super Bowl XLIX win. The other five honors Kraft is talking about each came at halftime of games.
Choosing Bruschi seems like a good omen. But then again, so seemed Ty Law and his 3-0 record as honorary captain one year ago. In the end it all comes down to the team and it doing its job.