Rumors were floating around today that the New England Patriots' linebacker Ted Bruschi died this morning at Sturdy Hospital of a heart attack. Those rumors were entirely false. Bruschi's agent, Brad Blank, has confirmed that Ted is alive and well. So just what set off this bizarre rumor?

As the story goes.... an anonymous email was sent to a Fox affiliate in Boston that said Bruschi had kicked the bucket. Instead of doing the logical thing and calling the Patriots, the reporter decided to confirm with three other members of the media, who all thus decided to start calling everyone they knew to try to get the scoop.

The rumor was still making its way around New England and throughout the country through emails and phone calls. But at the end of the day, it appears as if the only casualty in this case will be the red-faced reporter who'll think twice about his or her methods the next time around.

Bruschi suffered a stroke after the 2004 season, and although friendly with the media, has never enjoyed having his privacy invaded by the media. Needless to say, when he shows up at practice tomorrow, he's not going to be too happy to be greeted by throngs of reporters asking about the death rumors.