"Tedy Bruschi's teammates, past and present, all had stories to tell and remembrances to share. They all talked glowingly about the linebacker, and what he meant to them, and the team he played with for 13 seasons.

They couldn't say enough about Bruschi the person, and the player.

Bruschi had called Jerod Mayo on Sunday to inform him he was retiring.

"I came in here and heard all the horror stories about rookies and everything, but Tedy Bruschi broke all those stories," Mayo said. "He's a great guy, took me under his wing when I first came here. He told me then (that) one day, he would pass the torch onto me and the rest of the team. I guess today is that day."

Mayo, who Bruschi believes will largely take over his leadership role on defense, said it's going to be different not having Tedy around.

"It's a huge void," Mayo said. "It'll be tough for the linebacker group to fill his void as a person, let alone as a football player. It's going to take a group effort to do that."

Running back Kevin Faulk said, "He's a leader, an inspirational leader. He's a guy you know whenever he steps on the football field, you're going to get 220 percent from him. He's going to do anything and everything in his will to help this football team win.""