Tedy Bruschi will walk on to the field tomorrow night in the University of Phoenix Stadium with his three young sons at his side, savouring every second of the build-up to Super Bowl XLII: the crowd, the hubris, the nervous energy in the Arizona air and the sensation of history tapping the New England Patriots on the shoulder.

Not that different to three years ago, in Jacksonville, when the linebacker went through his habitual pre-game rituals before producing yet another crushing performance to help take the Pats to their third NFL championship in this decade. Except he didn't know then that 10 days later, he would wake up with no feeling in the left side of his body after suffering a stroke during the night. His hopes and dreams were not of further opportunities to take his place in American football's grandest stage. They were of survival first, then a return to normality, as a husband, father and functioning human being.

You don't win 18 games in succession without learning how to overcome the odd moment of adversity and if the Patriots seem invincible, Bruschi is their living reminder of the uncertainties of life. No-one has guaranteed New England this Super Bowl. Certainly not the New York Giants, who are taking hope from running their lauded foes to within three points just five weeks ago.

Bruschi has been here, done it, and has the gaudy rings to prove it. Yet, he knows how fortunate he is to be beckoned once more. "No-one's ever done this before. No-one's ever played professional football after having a stroke. It's just something you wouldn't even comprehend. To accomplish that and to receive all the medals and stuff, and hear survival stories, and to hear people say I have been an inspiration to them, it's really humbling."

There were times, particularly when he also had to undergo surgery to repair a hole in his heart, when the linebacker was told not even to attempt a return. "You're crazy. What are you doing?" they cried. "You're a husband. You've got three children."

Even he had his doubts until he had charged in for his first tackle. "I knew it would take me getting up after having a couple 300 pounders on top of me. Those are points that I had to experience all over again. That's what I have to do to show them. Not show people but help make people realise just because you had a stroke it doesn't mean you couldn't get back to where you were."

It has served to inspire. "If I were to open the dictionary to football player' and see Tedy Bruschi's picture there, that would be fitting," confirms New England head coach Bill Belichick. "He's all about football. He knows how to play." Whether it is trying to stop New York's formidable rushing attack, hunting down Giants quarterback Eli Manning, or even on special teams, there will be nothing left on the line.

Destiny beckons for the Patriots. Throughout their team, there is the experience of past accomplishment. Critically, there is also the hunger of those or whom the spectacle of Super Bowl is a step into the unknown, which is why wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker have played such a critical role in elevating their team to unprecedented heights this season.

There are, of course, similarities with New England's three championship squads of recent vintage. "All the teams," Bruschi observes, "had a good feeling in our locker room. The time we enjoy spending around each other. A great bunch of team-mates. But the difference between this team and those other championship teams is that this one hasn't won a Super Bowl yet. We can't compare those teams to the others until we get this done."

As Belichick's men have underlined, they are prepared to dig in and scrap. One win at a time has been the consistent mantra from on high and everyone has bought into the programme. "The game will be decided in the fourth quarter," Bruschi forecasts. "There is no doubt in my mind. The Giants are a great team and its going to take four quarters of great football to win this game."

And walk off a champion.