Tedy Bruschi was a three-time Super Bowl Champion in 2005.  However, the biggest challenge he would face in life still awaited him.

Days after the 2005 Pro Bowl, Bruschi suffered stroke-like symptoms and was brought to the hospital.  He suffered a mild stroke.

Bruschi declared he would sit out the entire 2005 season in order to rehabilitate and recover from the stroke.

However, just eight months after suffering the stroke, the New England Patriots cleared Bruschi to return to football.  Two weeks later, he played against the Buffalo Bills.

Around the same time, my father had a stroke that was a little more severe than Bruschi's.  His recovery never reached the complete stages that Bruschi attained.  

I was aware of Bruschi's tremendous recovery at the time.  Then, I heard about Bruschi's book: Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery and My Return to the NFL.

Immediately I thought about my dad, Mike Hoag Sr., and bought this book for him.  Reading it, if he ever did (reading was tough as a result of the stroke), I hoped would be an inspiration to help him with his recovery.

I haven't had a stroke or had to overcome any significant adversity in my life.

And I was truly inspired.