Joe Andruzzi – My Life of Dad

 

Many people know that Joe Andruzzi was a very important player for the New England Patriots. He played five seasons with the Patriots. During that time he helped the team win three Super Bowls. Joe also made an impact off the field. In recognition of his contributions, Joe received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2002 and the first Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2003.

In 2007, Joe was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins Burkitt’s lymphoma, ending his football career. Joe is now cancer free, but a new passion grew from his own cancer experience: helping other patients and their families. After witnessing first-hand the stress cancer can cause, Joe and Jen created a foundation to help cancer patients and their families meet life’s day-to-day challenges.

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation helps cancer patients in treatment and their families by assisting with rent or mortgage, utilities or other household expenses during what can be the most stressful and challenging time of their lives. It also funds cutting-edge pediatric brain cancer research at Boston Children’s Hospital and provides emotional and social support to patients and families.

I had the great pleasure of talking with Joe about his foundation, playing in the NFL and fatherhood.

Art Eddy: Before we talk football and fatherhood I want to highlight the fantastic work that you, your wife and the entire team at the Joe Andruzzi Foundation does to help beat cancer. You had cancer and you are a survivor. When did you realize that you were going to start up this foundation?

Joe Andruzzi: Back during my playing days. During my ten years I visited multiple hospitals. Paying it forward with smiles, laughter and a couple of autographs here and there. It goes a long way for patients and their families. We befriended a young boy. We raised a half million dollars in three years in honor of him during my time spent here in New England. Unfortunately he did pass. It was a memorial to him.

Less than two years after that I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma myself. After my hard fought battle I got back on my feet. My wife was by my bedside in the hospital. We were trying to come up with different ways of taking what we were doing and help on a personal note.

So it was started in the hospital by my bedside. There was a lot of need for the home front stuff that is forgotten about. When you are caring for a loved one you still have to pay a mortgage, rent, utilities and things like that. Sometime it is forgotten about and it is hard to be put on a shelf because bills need to be paid. So that is where the Joe Andruzzi Foundation steps in. We were born in May of 2008. We have helped out over 4,000 families and individuals who have been battling cancer.

AE: I lost my mom and my mother in law to cancer. It is tough to watch someone you love lose their battle to cancer. Part of your mantra at the foundation is We believe in carefree jokes, not heavy hearts. We believe in what can be, not what can’t. Because we know there’s life beyond cancer. I love the positive work you guys do to help those people who have cancer. How can people help out your foundation?

JA: They can check out http://joeandruzzifoundation.org and click on the big red donate button. Otherwise keep in touch. There is a calendar of all upcoming events. Just hearing the words that you spoke and our slogan and our mantra is upbeat cancer. That represents the Joe Andruzzi Foundation on the basis of keeping that smile and spreading those smiles. Try not to focus on the negative.

Staying positive and keeping that smile on your face is a tough time when you are battling cancer or any type of disease. Everybody has ups and downs. It is how you battle back from being down. Being able to be upbeat and positive is pretty tough, but we try and push those words and push it to many people.

AE: As a former member of the New England Patriots you know what it is like to play for that organization. Now as you watch your former team does anything surprise you about them?

JA: Sometimes. You have a multitude of guys going in and out of that offense, defense and special teams. I think many people are surprised. Overall knowing the whole organization, the team and how the coaches prepare every player is not a huge surprise.

When you look at the roster there are 53 guys on the roster, plus ten guys on the practice squad. They are constantly moving. Out of those 53 guys I believe 46 actually put a uniform on Sunday. Every single guy has a role on that team. You may not be the starter, but you have to prepare as if you are a starter. It only takes one play for things to change. One play and one person goes down and you are next up on that list. You got to step in there and not miss a beat. You got to get in sync with everyone else on the field. Run offense, defense and special teams in sync with everybody.

AE: The first team you played for was the Green Bay Packers. What was it like to play in your first NFL game? Take me back to your memories from that game?

JA: My take is very different than many players. I am a small school guy. I was found under a very big rock. I played at a small school. It was a Division II at Southern Connecticut. The biggest crowd I played in was for about 2,000 people. Maybe a little bit more.

Just think of those numbers and walking through the tunnel at Lambeau Field, my heart was racing. Not knowing what to expect and turn around and look up to see 60 to 70,000 fans screaming for the Packers and wearing a Green Bay uniform was a pretty amazing feeling.

AE: I had the privilege of talking with your teammate Troy Brown a few weeks ago. He said that the 2001 season was the most memorable one for him. He mentioned you and what you were going through with your family during 9/11. For you do share Troy’s feelings that the 2001 season was the most memorable one?

JA: Yes, by far. It was an up and down rollercoaster. 9/11 had happened. I have three brothers who are New York Firemen. I knew one of them was there. One of them was in Tower One. He was one of the first responders to reach the towers. Thankfully enough he was able to make it out of there. We lost a lot of close people. Knowing the weeks and the months coming after that was not very easy.

I was trying to be by his side to help him through those tough times. Being able to have him there in New Orleans along with my other two brothers and hold up that Lombardi Trophy. Knowing what we did as a team is a long grueling season not only for us as players, but for our families. That year was a little longer and a little more grueling for me and my family.

AE: Switching to fatherhood now, what are some of the core values you looked to instill in your kids as they grow up?

JA: I like looking back at history. My grandparents came over here by themselves in the early 1900’s. They had to learn a whole new language. They had to learn a whole new trade. Their hard work and dedication was instilled in their kids. My father was the youngest of eight. They all had a multitude of kids and instilled that into their kids. I try and do the same.

It is hard work and determination that helps get you through life. Things aren’t just handed to you. To be out there and work hard for what you have to achieve. Then you turn around and pay it forward. When you have stuff and things that have value to you there are others out there who need that extra help. Whether it is turning around and holding a door open for somebody or carrying a bag or helping someone with something mediocre. Every little bit counts.

AE: What is the biggest difference from the time when you were growing up to now as your children are growing up?

JA: Lifestyle. We didn’t grow up with cell phones or social media, computers and things like that. It is hard to compare when we were younger. We are learning as they are learning. We are trying to keep up the pace. There is a lot of good things out there. There are a lot of right things out there. Things can go wrong pretty fast especially when you are dealing with certain things.

AE: What advice do you have for new dads out there?

JA: I had a different experience with my cancer battle so I look at life from a whole new perspective. Cherish every day. You can’t change what you did yesterday. We can only plan for tomorrow. We don’t know what tomorrow brings. Live for the day and cherish the moment. Enjoy your children. They grow up fast. My oldest is 18 already. My youngest is four. We have three in the middle. So with five kids it goes by pretty fast.

Life of Dad Quick Five

AE: What is your favorite family movie that you guys like to watch together?

JA: One favorite is A Christmas Story. I have a wide range of ages with my kids, but we like the Disney movies.

AE: Do you guys have a favorite song that you all like to dance to?

JA: My kids will joke around and sing that song that goes baby you got what I need. (Both laugh.)

AE: Describe the perfect family vacation.

JA: We love Disney. We have been going since 2002. We are vacation club members.

AE: What was the biggest surprise moment in your career in the NFL?

JA: You always knew that you had a chance to go to the NFL. Actually making it and my surprise of getting hurt my first season. I tore my MCL. I only played in two games. So I thought my time was up. I was a rookie free agent. I got a zero bonus. It turned out that I made the 53 man roster. I didn’t get the phone call that day of cuts. I was expecting to hand in my playbook that day. I ended up making the roster. I went in the locker room and getting handshakes from many guys that were veterans on the team and saying congratulations. That was a pretty great surprise.

AE: For you which team was your biggest rival during your playing days?

JA: It would have to be the Jets. I am a New York guy. I grew up in New York. Some of my family members are Jets fans. I actually grew up a Giants fan. I played the Jets twice a year. I had family come to the game. They would wear my jersey underneath a Jets jersey. They would switch it went I was on the field and then go back and forth.

Follow Joe on Twitter at @Andruzzi63 and @joeandruzzifndn

Go to http://joeandruzzifoundation.org/ to help Joe, his wife and their foundation to beat cancer.