Ethan Rhodes
Drew McQueen Bledsoe is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He suffered a near-fatal injury in 2001, which led to him being hospitalised. Bledsoe's injury marked the beginning of Tom Brady's career as the Patriots' starting quarterback.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for hospitalisation | Bledsoe was hospitalised due to a severe injury during a game. |
| Date of injury | 23 September 2001 |
| Opponent | New York Jets |
| Player involved in collision | Mo Lewis |
| Team at the time of injury | New England Patriots |
| Position | Quarterback |
| Nature of injury | Hemothorax (chest cavity filled with blood), not a pneumothorax (collapsed lung) |
| Treatment | Chest tube inserted to drain blood, blood reinfused, reactive effusion (clear fluid) removed |
| Recovery | Bledsoe was cleared to play after 51 days but did not regain his starting role |
| Replacement | Tom Brady |
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What You'll Learn
Drew Bledsoe's heart was racing
On November 23, 2005, former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe was rushed to the hospital after experiencing shortness of breath and chest discomfort during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. At the time, Bledsoe was in his second season with the team and had recently led them to a Super Bowl victory in 2002.
Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors discovered that Bledsoe was suffering from an irregular heartbeat, also known as cardiac arrhythmia. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including a racing heart rate, palpitations, and shortness of breath. In Bledsoe's case, his heart rate was abnormally high, which likely caused the discomfort and breathlessness he was feeling.
An irregular heartbeat can be a serious medical emergency, as it can lead to a stroke or heart failure if left untreated. In Bledsoe's case, his condition was fortunately not life-threatening, but it was still a cause for concern. His racing heart rate was most likely due to a combination of factors, including physical exertion from the football game, stress, and dehydration.
During a football game, players exert themselves physically, and this can lead to a temporary increase in heart rate. For quarterbacks like Bledsoe, who are often under intense mental pressure as well, the stress can further elevate the heart rate. Additionally, dehydration is a common issue for athletes, and it can also contribute to an increased heart rate as the body tries to compensate for the lack of adequate fluid levels.
Bledsoe's treatment focused on regulating his heart rate and addressing the underlying causes. Doctors often use medications to slow the heart rate and restore a regular rhythm. They may also recommend lifestyle changes, such as increasing fluid intake, reducing stress, and modifying exercise routines to prevent future episodes.
The experience was a wake-up call for Bledsoe, and it brought attention to the importance of cardiac health, especially for athletes. Since then, he has likely made lifestyle changes and continues to be monitored by medical professionals to ensure his heart health is maintained. This incident also raises awareness of the potential cardiac risks associated with intense physical and mental activities and the importance of proper hydration and stress management.
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He had a hemothorax
Former NFL quarterback Drew McQueen Bledsoe was hospitalised after suffering a hemothorax. Bledsoe played for the New England Patriots for nine seasons and is considered the face of the franchise during his time there.
A hemothorax is a condition that occurs when the chest cavity fills with blood. Bledsoe's injury was caused by a hit from Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis, which sheared a blood vessel in his chest. This caused internal bleeding at a rate of about a pint of blood per hour.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Bledsoe was treated by Dr. David Berger, who inserted a chest tube into his left chest to drain the blood. The bleeding stopped on its own, and the tube was subsequently removed. Bledsoe was also checked for other injuries, but no problems were found besides those in his chest.
Bledsoe's injury was considered unusual, especially for a professional athlete, and it left him inactive for the Patriots' next seven games. During this time, Tom Brady took over as the starting quarterback, beginning his legendary career. Bledsoe was eventually cleared to play again, but he never regained his starting role.
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He did not have a collapsed lung
Former NFL quarterback Drew McQueen Bledsoe was hospitalised after a hit from Jets linebacker Mo Lewis during a game on September 23, 2001. The hit sheared a blood vessel in his chest, causing a hemothorax that had him bleeding a pint of blood an hour.
Bledsoe's injury resulted in him being benched for the New England Patriots, with Tom Brady taking over as starting quarterback. This marked the beginning of Brady's career and the end of Bledsoe's time as the face of the Patriots.
Despite the seriousness of the injury, Bledsoe's lung did not collapse. Dr. David Berger, who treated Bledsoe at the hospital, clarified that the athlete did not experience a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung. Instead, Bledsoe suffered a hemothorax, where the chest cavity fills with blood.
Berger explained the distinction between a hemothorax and a pneumothorax:
> "A collapsed lung means that there is air that gets in between the chest wall and the lung itself. At no time did he have a collapsed lung. He had what we call a hemothorax. He did not have a pneumothorax, which is a collapsed lung."
Bledsoe himself confirmed that his lung did not collapse, although he speculated that his lung capacity may have diminished as a result of the injury. He underwent treatment, including the insertion of a chest tube to drain blood from his chest, and was eventually discharged from the hospital after follow-up chest X-rays showed no remaining blood in his chest.
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He had a chest tube inserted
Drew Bledsoe, a former professional football quarterback, suffered a near-fatal injury during a game. He was hit by Jets Mo Lewis, which sheared a blood vessel in his chest, causing a hemothorax that had him bleeding a pint of blood an hour.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Dr. David Berger treated Bledsoe and placed a chest tube into his left chest to drain the blood. The tube was connected to a device that allowed the doctors to give Bledsoe back his own blood. The bleeding stopped on its own, and the tube was removed. Bledsoe was discharged from the hospital and had chest X-rays as a follow-up, which revealed some fluid in his chest, which is expected after this type of injury. This fluid, known as a reactive effusion, is a clear fluid that is not blood, and it was removed with the help of a radiologist.
Bledsoe's injury resulted in him being inactive for the Patriots' next seven games, and during this time, Tom Brady took over as the starting quarterback, beginning his legendary career. Bledsoe's injury was described as unusual by Dr. Berger, and it left him unable to engage in much physical activity for several weeks.
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Bledsoe lost his job to Tom Brady
Drew McQueen Bledsoe, born on February 14, 1972, is a former American professional football quarterback who played in the NFL for 14 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots. He played college football for the Washington State Cougars and was selected by the Patriots first overall in the 1993 NFL draft. During his nine seasons with the team, he helped improve New England's fortunes from 1993 to 2001. Under Bledsoe, the Patriots ended a seven-year postseason drought, qualified for the playoffs four times, clinched their division twice, and made a Super Bowl appearance in Super Bowl XXXI. He was also named to three Pro Bowls and became the youngest quarterback to play in the NFL's Pro Bowl game in 1995.
However, in 2001, Bledsoe suffered a near-fatal injury that led to him losing his starting role to backup quarterback Tom Brady. During a game, Bledsoe was hit by defensive end Shaun Ellis, causing him to stand upright and be tackled by Mo Lewis. The hit resulted in a concussion, a collapsed lung, and internal bleeding. Team doctor Bert Zarins discovered that Lewis' hit sheared a blood vessel in Bledsoe's chest, causing a hemothorax that had him bleeding a pint of blood an hour. Brady replaced Bledsoe and led the New England Patriots to the playoffs, starting his own remarkable journey with the team.
Bledsoe eventually recovered physically, but coach Bill Belichick decided to stick with Brady as the starting quarterback. This decision was not without controversy, as Bledsoe had been a pivotal player for the Patriots before his injury. In fact, Bledsoe was considered the face of the Patriots franchise during his time with the team. Despite this, Brady went on to have an incredible career with the Patriots, winning six Super Bowl championships and becoming the greatest quarterback of all time.
While Bledsoe never regained his starting role with the Patriots, he proved his worth as a player even after his injury. During the 2001 AFC Championship game, Bledsoe replaced an injured Brady and helped lead the Patriots to victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. This win secured the Patriots' spot in the Super Bowl, showcasing Bledsoe's ability to step up when needed. In 2011, Bledsoe was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to the team's success.
In conclusion, while it was unfortunate for Bledsoe to lose his starting role due to injury, the emergence of Tom Brady as a talented quarterback changed the trajectory of the New England Patriots franchise. Brady's success and longevity with the team solidified his place as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and Bledsoe's role in the Patriots' early achievements is also remembered and celebrated.
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Frequently asked questions
Bledsoe was hospitalised after suffering a hemothorax, a condition that results when the chest cavity fills with blood.
Bledsoe suffered the injury after being hit by Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis.
Bledsoe was in the hospital for an extended period, unable to do any physical activity for several weeks.
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