Spirit of day alive in Bruschi

''It's something to where I just feel fortunate. I feel fortunate that I can play this game that I love. I loved playing football before, but the feeling that I have out there now, it's magnified even more . . . Every day I wake up and thank God for the day that I'm alive."

And almost every day, he is reminded how much his return to football, less than nine months after suffering a stroke, means to his growing legion of fans. Stroke survivors and their family members have reached out to Bruschi in large numbers.

''When I read a letter or get an e-mail from a stroke survivor telling me that I'm an inspiration, it's a honor," Bruschi said. ''Because I've done a lot of things in my life, but one of the things I'm most proud of is when people write me and call me a stroke survivor.

''I realize I'll be looked at like that for the rest of my life, and I accept that. It's an honor to me that I can be some type of inspiration. The reception that I've gotten on the street or when people see me out in public is very flattering."

It carries over to the field, too, where Bruschi has played well since rejoining the team four games ago. Opponents have gone out of their way to welcome Bruschi back to the NFL or to tell him he is in their prayers. Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy sought out Bruschi after the game Nov. 7 to wish him well.

''I think every player in the league has rehabbed from maybe a knee or shoulder injury or something like that, so I think they understand what I went through a little bit," Bruschi said. ''For them, in the heat of the battle, helping me up saying, 'Nice to have you back Tedy,' . . ."

Of course, Bruschi notes the pats on the back do not come during play, which leads to his message to friendly foes.

''I appreciate you helping me up, and yes it's good to be back, but try and not hit me in the back next time," he said, laughing.

Emotions aside, Bruschi is yet to be the football player he was, and expects to be again.