Lewis: Blame Bledsoe for hit that led to Brady era

"Nearly a quarter-century ago, former New York Jets linebacker Mo Lewis delivered a hit on Drew Bledsoe that changed the course of NFL history. Tired of being held responsible by Jets fans for triggering the Tom Brady era and the New England Patriots' dynasty, Lewis has unleashed another hit. Lewis, breaking a long media silence, contends in a soon-to-be-released book that it's Bledsoe -- not him -- that deserves the blame for what happened on Sept. 23, 2001. Bledsoe was drilled so hard that it sheared a blood vessel in his chest -- he nearly died in the ambulance -- creating an opportunity for the unproven Brady."

""[Bledsoe] just signed a $100 million deal to be what type of quarterback? A passing quarterback, correct?" Lewis says in "Brady vs. Belichick," written by longtime NFL reporter Gary Myers. "Had he not got outside the pocket and ran with the ball, would we be talking about this? Who caused the event? The person who was with the ball. "Now he's doing what he didn't sign up for. He signed up to be a passing quarterback. What do I do? I stop the people with the ball. It's just another play for me. But it's a different play for him.""

"Bledsoe, never known for his mobility, was trying to run for a first down late in a game eventually won by the Jets, 10-3. Lewis chased him down and blew him up along the sideline -- a clean but crushing hit that stunned players because of its ferocity. It ended Bledsoe's run as the Patriots' quarterback. Lewis, 55, has avoided the media and team alumni events since retiring after the 2003 season, with several former teammates saying it's because he feels slighted"

Mo Lewis breaks a long media silence to say Drew Bledsoe's decision to leave the pocket and run led to the 2001 hit that sheared a blood vessel and nearly killed him. The hit occurred Sept. 23, 2001, in a game the Jets won 10-3. Lewis describes the hit as a routine play to stop the ball carrier and points to Bledsoe's role as a passing quarterback who left his assignment. The play ended Bledsoe's time as the Patriots' starter and created the opening for Tom Brady. Lewis has largely avoided media and alumni events since retiring.

Read at ESPN.com