EXCLUSIVE: Iconic sports agent Leigh Steinberg told Mirror Sport how he feels ‘helpless’ when players – like former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe – get injured
Drew Bledsoe’s agent Leigh Steinberg has revealed how âhelpless’ he felt watching the quarterback suffer a horrific injury that ultimately led to the rise of Tom Brady.
Bledsoe was the face of the New England Patriots franchise after he was selected first overall in the 1993 NFL Draft. He has been widely credited with turning the team’s fortunes around during his nine-year career in Foxborough.
Under Bledsoe, the Patriots returned to the playoffs after a seven-year drought, winning the AFC East division twice while also reaching Super Bowl XXI where they were defeated 35-21 by the Green Bay Packers. Bledsoe was also named to three Pro Bowls and he became the youngest quarterback to play in the NFL’s all-star game when he took part in 1995.
Ahead of the 2001 season, Bledsoe signed a then-NFL record 10-year contract worth $103 million and appeared set to lead the Patriots for the foreseeable future. However, in the second game of the season against the New York Jets, Bledsoe was ferociously drilled by linebacker Mo Lewis.