11, 2005). This is in addition to his first career touchdown at Baltimore (October 6, 1996) when Bruschi recovered a blocked punt by Larry Whigham and returned it four yards for a touchdown, making 8 total touchdowns to which Bruschi contributed. Retirement On the August 30, 2009 broadcast of Sunday Night Football, Al Michaels reported that Bruschi would announce his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL. Bruschi confirmed his retirement on August 31, 2009 at a press conference alongside New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft. During this broadcast, Bruschi described how fulfilled he felt in completing his 13 years of playing football. He described how it felt to know that he had reached all of the goals he wanted to reach. One writer speculated that Bruschi retired from the Patriots in the 2009 preseason, rather than being cut/released by coach Bill Belichick before the 2009 season. Bruschi joined ESPN as an analyst following his retirement. Bruschi has indicated that he would prefer that his number not be retired. It was worn by six-time Pro Bowl guard Brian Waters in 2011. Starting in 2012, his number 54 is now worn by Dont'a Hightower. The New England Patriots held a special ceremony in Bruschi's honor during halftime on Monday Night Football on December 6, 2010. On May 21, 2013, Bruschi was voted by fans as the 19th player to enter the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Bruschi's Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place during halftime of a Thursday Night Football game between New England and the New York Jets on September 12, 2013. On February 1, 2015, Bruschi was an honorary captain at Super Bowl XLIX. NFL career statistics Personal life Bruschi is of Filipino and Italian descent. An accomplished saxophonist, Bruschi has played with the Boston Pops. Bruschi is one of three children. His stepfather, Ron Sandys, was a professional tennis player. In 2007, Bruschi wrote Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL, a book about his experience with his stroke and his recovery. In his memoir, Bruschi speaks with candor about how his family confronted the reality of his life-threatening affliction, of his initial plans to retire from the NFL, and of the moment he told his wife he was ready to return to football, earning him a share of the Comeback Player of the