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 72   Matt Light   T
  Height: 6-4   Weight: 305
  Year: 9   Yrs/Pat: 9
  Acquired: D2-01 (48th overall)
  School: Purdue
  Major: Industrial Technology
  Born: Jun 23, 1978  Greenville  OH

  Pro Bowl: 2006, 2007
Career Transactions

Matt Light was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft ... Signed by the Patriots (7/22/01) ... Placed on injured reserve (12/22/05).


Career Statistics

View Matt Light's Career Statistics >>


Career Highlights

GP/GS (Playoffs): 124/122 (16/16)

  • Light has played in 124 games with 122 starts over nine seasons with New England (2001-09). His 117 games as a Patriot tie Tom Brady for the second highest total of any active player, trailing only Kevin Faulk.
  • In his nine seasons in New England, Light has been a part of six division championships, four conference titles and three Super Bowl crowns.
  • In 2008, Light started every game at left tackle as part of an offensive line that was a part of the best rushing season for the Patriots in more than 20 years in terms of rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and average yards per carry.
  • Light helped the Patriots rank fifth in the NFL in total offense in 2008, averaging 365.4 yards per game - the third-best yards per game average in franchise history.
  • Light was named to the Associated Press All-Pro First Team in 2007, and earned AFC Pro Bowl honors in 2006 and 2007. He is one of four Patriots offensive tackles to earn Pro Bowl honors since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, joining Patriots Hall of Famer Bruce Armstrong, Leon Gray and Brian Holloway.
  • In 2007, Light started every game as part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed just 21 sacks, the fewest for the franchise in 30 years.
  • Light contributed to a Patriots offense that set all-time NFL records with 589 points and 75 touchdowns in 2007.
  • In 2007, Light was part of a Patriots offensive line that helped the team average 4.10 yards per carry, the team's highest total since 1985.
  • In 2006, Light helped pave the way for the Patriots to record 1,969 rushing yards, the team's second highest total in the last 18 years.
  • Light started 66 consecutive games for the Patriots at left tackle, dating from the 10th game of his rookie season of 2001 to Sept. 25, 2005.
  • Light was a part of an offensive line that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in club history in 2004, paving the way for the team to average more than four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons and helping running back Corey Dillon set a single-season franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards.
  • Light anchored an offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks in 2004, the fewest by the Patriots in 10 years.
  • Light was a member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain more than 200 rushing yards twice in 2004, 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) and 208 rushing yards against Buffalo (11/14/04), marking the first time in six years the team has exceeded 200 net yards rushing.
  • Light was a part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed just 58 sacks from 2003-04. The two-year total is the best since New England allowed 57 sacks from 1995-96.
  • Light started all three postseason games in 2003 as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the playoffs as Tom Brady attempted 126 passes, and the Patriots claimed the Super Bowl XXXVIII championship.
  • Light was part of an offensive line in 2002 that yielded only 31 sacks, the lowest total since 1997 (30).
  • Light started 12 of 14 games during his rookie season in 2001 and helped open holes for the Patriots running game, which averaged 112.2 yards per game.

       


2009 Season

2009 (11/11/0/5): Made 11 starts at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks (18) by a Patriots line since the NFL moved to a 16-game schedule.

Buffalo (9/14): Started at left tackle and reported as an eligible receiver as an extra blocker on several offensive plays in the Patriots' 25-24 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/20): Made the start at left tackle versus the Jets.  Atlanta (9/27): Made the start at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 42 pass attempts in the Patriots' 26-10 victory over the Falcons. Baltimore (10/4): Started at left tackle in the Patriots' 27-21 victory over the Ravens. at Denver (10/11): Made the start, playing at left tackle before leaving the game to injury in the fourth quarter. Tennessee (10/18): Inactive. at Tampa Bay (10/25): Inactive. Miami (11/8): Inactive. at Indianapolis (11/15): Inactive. N.Y. Jets (11/22): Inactive. at New Orleans (11/30): Returned to action, making the start at left tackle at the Saints. at Miami (12/6): Made the start at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that did not surrender a sack of Tom Brady. Carolina (12/13): Started at left tackle in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Panthers ... Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack of Tom Brady in 32 pass attempts. at Buffalo (12/20): Made the start at left tackle in the Patriots' 17-10 win over the Bills. Jacksonville (12/27): Started at left tackle as the Patriots clinched the AFC East title with a 35-7 victory over the Jaguars ... Contributed to an offensive line that did not allow a sack of Tom Brady in 26 pass attempts and helped Patriots running backs gain 197 rushing yards ... Helped keep Patriots opponents without a sack for the fourth straight week. at Houston (1/3): Started at left tackle at the Texans.

2009 Postseason (1/1/0/0): Baltimore (1/10): Started at left tackle in his 16th career playoff game.


2008 Season

2008 (16/16): Voted an offensive team captain by his teammates for the first time ... Started every game at left tackle as part of an offensive line that led the Patriots to 356 first downs in 2008, the second highest total in franchise history ... Was a part of the best rushing season for the Patriots in more than 20 years, totaling 2,278 rushing yards (sixth in team history and the most since 1985), 21 rushing touchdowns (tied for fourth in team history and the most since 1981) and an average of 4.4 yards per carry (fifth in team history and the best since 1983) ... Served as an offensive captain as the Patriots ranked fifth in the NFL in total offense, averaging 365.4 yards per game - the thirdbest yards per game average in franchise history ... Helped the Patriots record a franchise-best three games with 500 or more total net yards, with the team's 530 total net yards at Miami on Nov. 23 standing as the second highest for any game in franchise history ... Played in his 100th career game while making the start at left tackle against Miami (9/21) ... Started his 100th career game at left tackle at San Diego (10/12) ... Started at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that helped Patriots runners to 257 rushing yards against Denver (10/20) ... Started at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that helped the Patriots to 511 net yards, the team's highest output since 1979 against the N.Y. Jets (11/13) ... Contributed key blocks on two crucial third-down conversions on screen passes to Kevin Faulk and Wes Welker, respectively, on the Patriots' game-winning touchdown drive at Seattle (12/7) ... Started at left tackle and was part of an offensive line that helped Matt Cassel to a career high four touchdown passes and led Patriots rushers to 277 yards on the ground, the team's highest single-game rushing total since 1985 at Oakland (12/14) ... Started at left tackle as the Patriots posted their fourth game of the season with 40-plus points, tying a franchise record set in 2007, while posting 514 net yards despite wintry conditions against Arizona (12/21).


2007 Season

  • In 2007, Light was part of a Patriots offensive line that helped the team average 4.10 yards per carry, the team's highest total since 1985.
  • In 2006, Light helped pave the way for the Patriots to record 1,969 rushing yards, the team's second highest total in the last 18 years.
  • Light started 66 consecutive games for the Patriots at left tackle, dating from the 10th game of his rookie season of 2001 to Sept. 25, 2005.
  • Light was a part of an offensive line that enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in club history in 2004, paving the way for the team to average more than four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons and helping running back Corey Dillon set a single-season franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards.
  • Light anchored an offensive line that allowed just 26 sacks in 2004, the fewest by the Patriots in 10 years.
  • Light was a member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain more than 200 rushing yards twice in 2004, 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) and 208 rushing yards against Buffalo (11/14/04), marking the first time in six years the team has exceeded 200 net yards rushing.
  • Light was a part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed just 58 sacks from 2003-04. The two-year total is the best since New England allowed 57 sacks from 1995-96.
  • Light started all three postseason games in 2003 as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the playoffs as Tom Brady attempted 126 passes, and the Patriots claimed the Super Bowl XXXVIII championship.
  • Light was part of an offensive line in 2002 that yielded only 31 sacks, the lowest total since 1997 (30).
  • Light started 12 of 14 games during his rookie season in 2001 and helped open holes for the Patriots running game, which averaged 112.2 yards per game.

       


2006 Season

2006 (16/16/0/0): Buffalo (9/10): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 183 rushing yards on 41 carries (4.5 yard avg.) in the Patriots' 19-17 victory over the Bills. at N.Y. Jets (9/17): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 147 yards in the Patriots' 24-17 win over the N.Y. Jets. Denver (9/24): Started at left tackle and was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack despite 55 pass attempts. at Cincinnati (10/1): Made the start at left tackle in the Patriots' commanding 38-13 victory over the Bengals ... Member of an offensive front that opened holes for Patriots' ball carriers to gain 238 rushing yards on 41 carries, marking New England's highest team rushing total in 13 seasons ... Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the second consecutive game. Miami (10/8): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 29 pass attempts in the Patriots' 20-10 win over the Dolphins. at Buffalo (10/22): Started at left tackle in the Patriots' 28-6 road victory over the Bills. at Minnesota (10/30): Started at left tackle ... Was a member of an offensive front that gave Tom Brady enough time to throw for 372 yards and tie his career high with four touchdown tosses in the Patriots' commanding 31-7 road win against the Vikings ... Helped to pave the way for a running game that averaged 5.7 yards per carry, gaining 85 yards on just 15 rushes ... Provided a seal block allowing Reche Caldwell to get into the open field for a 34-yard gain on a wide receiver screen in the second quarter ... Recovered a Tom Brady fumble in the fourth quarter. Indianapolis (11/5): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that did not allow a sack on 35 pass attempts. N.Y. Jets (11/12): Started at left tackle and was a part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 145 yards on just 26 carries (5.6 yard avg.). at Green Bay (11/19): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that protected Tom Brady, allowing him to register a season-best 128.2 quarterback rating in the Patriots' 35-0 road victory over the Packers. Chicago (11/26): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 33 pass attempts in the Patriots' 17-13 victory over the Bears. Detroit (12/3): Made the start at left tackle in the Patriots' 28-21 comeback victory over the Lions ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Tom Brady to throw for 305 yards in the victory. at Miami (12/10): Started at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' runners to gain 123 rushing yards on 25 carries (4.9 avg.). Houston (12/17): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive line that allowed just one sack on 27 pass attempts in the Patriots' commanding 40-7 victory over the Texans. at Jacksonville (12/24): Made the start at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 117 yards on 30 carries (3.9 avg.) ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 39 pass attempts in the Patriots' 24-21 division-clinching win over the Jaguars. at Tennessee (12/31): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Patriots' ball carriers to gain 171 rushing yards on just 31 carries (5.5 avg.) in the Patriots' 40-23 victory over the Titans.

2006 Postseason (3/3/0/0): N.Y. Jets (1/7): Started at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed Patriots' rushers to gain 158 rushing 2 yards on 38 carries (4.2 avg.) in the Patriots' 37-16 AFC Wild Card victory over the N.Y. Jets ... Part of an offensive line that allowed just one sack on 34 pass attempts. at San Diego (1/14): Made the start at left tackle ... Part of an offensive line that allowed just two sacks despite 51 pass attempts in the Patriots' 24-21 AFC Divisional playoff victory over the Chargers ... San Diego entered the game as the league leader in sacks ... Pounced on a Tom Brady fumble after the signal caller was strip-sacked by Shaun Phillips in the third quarter. at Indianapolis (1/21): Made the start at left tackle ... Member of an offensive front that allowed just one sack on 35 pass attempts.


2005 Season

2005 (3/3/0/11): Placed on Injured Reserve on Dec. 22, 2005 ... Had started 66 consecutive games at left tackle, including playoffs, dating back to the 11th game of his rookie year before missing the San Diego matchup (10/2/05) with an injury.

Oakland (9/8): Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 38 pass attempts in the Patriots' 30-20 victory over the Raiders. at Carolina (9/18): Part of an offensive line that allowed Tom Brady to pass for 270 yards. at Pittsburgh (9/25): Started at left tackle but left the game in the first quarter with an injury. San Diego (10/2): Inactive. at Atlanta (10/9): Inactive. at Denver (10/16): Inactive. Buffalo (10/30): Inactive. Indianapolis (11/7): Inactive. at Miami (11/13): Inactive. New Orleans (11/20): Inactive. at Kansas City (11/27): Inactive. N.Y. Jets (12/4): Inactive. at Buffalo (12/11): Inactive. Tampa Bay (12/17): Inactive.


2004 season

2004 (16/16, 3/3): Started all 16 games at left tackle for the third consecutive season … Member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to gain more than 200 rushing yards twice in 2004, 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) and 208 rushing yards against Buffalo (11/14/04), marking the first time in six years the team has exceeded 200 net yards rushing … The 225 rushing yards against Cleveland (12/5/04) were the most for the Patriots since 12/26/93. at Arizona (9/19): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Corey Dillon to rush for a season-high 158 yards on 32 carries (4.9-yard avg.) in the Patriots’ 23-12 victory over the Cardinals. at Buffalo (10/3): Anchored an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 30 pass attempts in the Patriots’ 31-17 victory over the Bills. Miami (10/10): Member of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to gain 135 yards on the ground in New England’s 24-10 victory over Miami. Seattle (10/17): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to pick up 138 yards in the Patriots’ 30-20 victory over the Seahawks. at St. Louis (11/7): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for New England rushers to gain 147 yards on the ground in the Patriots’ 40-22 road win against the Rams. Buffalo (11/14): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ rushers to amass 208 rushing yards in New England’s commanding 29-6 victory over the Bills. Baltimore (11/28): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 144 yards on the ground in New England’s 24-3 victory over the Ravens … Anchored an offensive front that allowed just one sack for two yards on 30 pass attempts against one of the league’s stingiest pass rush defenses. at Cleveland (12/5): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots’ ball carriers to amass 225 rushing yards in New England’s 42-15 victory over the Browns. at Miami (12/20): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 166 yards on 38 carries (4.4-yard avg.). San Francisco (1/2): Part of an offensive front that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 174 yards on the ground on just 28 carries (6.2-yard avg.) in the Patriots’ 21-7 victory over the 49ers … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the second half. Indianapolis (1/16): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 210 yards on the ground on just 39 carries (5.4 avg.) in the Patriots’ 20-3 victory over the Colts. at Pittsburgh (1/23): Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots ball carriers to gain 126 yards against one of the stingiest run defenses in the league during New England’s 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots’ rushers to gain 112 yards on 28 carries in New England’s 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX

2004 Postseason (3/3/0/0): Indianapolis (1/16):  Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 210 yards on the ground on just 39 carries (5.4 avg.) in the Patriots' 20-3 victory over the Colts.  at Pittsburgh (1/23):  Part of an offensive line that allowed Patriots ball carriers to gain 126 yards against one of the stingiest run defenses in the league during New England's 41-27 AFC Championship victory over the Steelers. Philadelphia (2/6): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots' rushers to gain 112 yards on 28 carries in New England's 24-21 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX.


2003 Season

2003 (16/16, 3/3): Started all 16 games for the second consecutive season … Helped the ground attack exceed the century mark with more than 100 rushing yards in five of the first six weeks in 2003 … Part of an offensive line that started the same five players in each of the last 12 games, all Patriots victories … Member of an offensive line that has allowed just 63 sacks over the last two seasons. N.Y. Jets (9/21): Started at left tackle … Had a solid performance against Pro Bowl defensive end John Abraham, limiting him to just three tackles. Tennessee (10/5): Was a member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots rushers to gain a season-high 161 yards on 27 carries (6.0 avg.) and three touchdowns. N.Y. Giants (10/12): Member of an offensive line that helped Patriots rushers gain 129 yards on 31 carries (4.2 yard avg). Denver (11/3): Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 35 pass attempts … Supplied Tom Brady with time in the pocket, allowing him to throw for 350 passing yards. Houston (11/23): Member of an offensive line that opened holes for Patriots rushers to gain 128 yards on the ground. N.Y. Jets (12/20): Part of an offensive line that opened holes for Antowain Smith to rush for 121 yards on just 18 carries (6.7 avg.), marking the Patriots first 100-yard rusher of the season … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 25 pass attempts. Tennessee (1/10): Started at left tackle in the Patriots’ 17-14 divisional playoff victory over the Titans … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 41 pass attempts. Indianapolis (1/18): Started at left tackle in the Patriots’ 24-14 AFC Championship victory over the Colts … Member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in 37 pass attempts. Carolina (2/1): Started at left tackle and was a member of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in the Patriots’ Super Bowl XXXVIII victory over the Panthers.
 


2002 Season

2002 (16/16): Started all 16 games at left tackle and was part of a Patriots offensive line that did not allow a sack in four games in 2002, the first time the Patriots accomplished that feat since 1995 … Offensive line yielded a total of just 31 sacks, the least since 1997 (30). N.Y. Jets (9/15): Started at left tackle as part of an offensive line that allowed no sacks on 35 passing attempts and paved the way for a season-high 163 rushing yards, as the Patriots beat the Jets, 44-7. San Diego (9/29): Started at left tackle as part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack for the second time in three weeks … Helped block for Antowain Smith to average 4.9 yards per carry. Buffalo (11/3): Part of an offensive line that blocked for its first 100-yard rusher of the season as Antowain Smith rumbled for 111 yards in New England’s 38-7 victory over the Bills … The offense gained a total of 159 yards on the ground. Oakland (11/17): Recovered a David Givens fumble in the first quarter, pouncing on the ball to keep possession on the Patriots game-opening field goal drive. Detroit (11/28): Started at left tackle in the Patriots 20-12 win over the Lions on Thanksgiving Day … Part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack on 30 pass plays and opened holes for the team to rush for a total of 139 yards. Buffalo (12/8): Part of a Patriots offensive line that allowed no sacks for the second consecutive week and the fourth time in 2002 in a 27-17 win over the Bills. Miami (12/29): Started at left tackle in the Patriots 27-24, overtime win over the Dolphins in the season finale … Held Jason Taylor, the NFL’s sack leader to no sacks after Taylor had recorded one in each of his previous eight games.


2001 Season

2001 (14/12, 3/3): Started at left tackle in 12 of 14 regular season games and all three postseason games during his rookie season … Earned Football News 2001 NFL All-Rookie Team honors in 2001. N.Y. Jets (9/23): Made first NFL start at left tackle and was part of offensive line that blocked for rushing attack that accumulated 107 yards on 26 carries (4.1 avg.). Indianapolis (9/30): Blocked for a rushing attack that gained 177 yards on 39 carries (4.5 avg.) and scored three touchdowns … Made key kick-out block on Antowain Smith’s 39-yard run. Indianapolis (10/21): Part of offensive line that opened holes for 123 yards rushing on 30 attempts (4.1 avg.) and did not allow a sack in 38-17 victory over the Colts. Buffalo (11/11): Played the bulk of the second half when he stepped in for an injured Grant Williams at left tackle … Part of offensive line that led the way for 134 yards rushing and a 100 yard rusher for the second consecutive week. New Orleans (11/25): Started at left tackle and was part of offensive line that led the way for 191 yards rushing, their second-highest total of the season and their third 100 yard rusher in the four games. Buffalo (12/16): Part of offensive line that opened holes for 129 yards rushing on 27 attempts (4.8 avg.) in the Patriots 12-9 overtime victory. Miami (12/22): Helped power the offense to a season-high 196 yards rushing and their fourth 100 yard rusher of the season. Carolina (1/6): Part of offensive line that led the way for 102 yards rushing and did not allow a sack in the second half. Oakland (1/19): Started at left tackle in his first career postseason game and was part of offensive line which only allowed two sack in 52 pass attempts. St. Louis (2/3): Started at left tackle and was part of offensive line that led the way for 133 yards on 25 carries (5.3 avg.) in the Patriots 20-17 victory in Super Bowl XXXVI.


College

Light earned four letters at Purdue University (1996, 1998- 2000) ... Charged with the responsibility of protecting Drew Brees' blindside from the left tackle position ... Started all 37 Boilermaker games at tackle from 1998-2000 ... Leader of offensive line that allowed just 38 sacks on 1,690 pass attempts ... Consensus All-Big Ten conference first-team (2000) and voted to second-team (1999). 2000 (Senior): Consensus All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice ... All-American first-team selection by Gannett News, earning third-team honors from Football News ... Started all 12 games at left offensive tackle, leading a strong blocking effort upfront, allowing Boilermaker quarterbacks to be sacked just seven times in 528 attempts (one every 75.4 pass attempts) ... Helped the team to a Big Ten title and their first Rose Bowl appearance in 35 years. 1999 (Junior): Started in all 12 games at left tackle, playing a major part as the offensive line allowed just 15 sacks in 568 pass attempts (one every 37.9 attempts) ... 1998 (Sophomore): Honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference choice by both the Big Ten's coaches and media ... Started all 13 games at left tackle, helping an offensive line that allowed 16 sacks in 594 pass attempts (one every 37.1 attempts). 1997 (Redshirted): Underwent surgery in the spring to repair his left shoulder (AC joint) and was lost for the year. 1996 (Freshman): Appeared in seven games as a reserve tight end ... Recorded one reception for 16 yards.


Personal

Matthew Charles Light was born the son of William and Marilyn Light on June 23, 1978 in Greenville, Ohio ... Secondteam Division II all-state choice as a linebacker, adding All-Darke County, all-conference and All-Southwest District honors as a senior at Greenville (Ohio) High ... Three-year two-way starter who played guard as sophomore, tackle as junior and tight end as senior ... As a senior, he had 69 tackles, including 15 stops for 63 yards in losses, two fumbles caused and two pass break-ups ... Added four catches for 75 yards with one touchdown ... Also lettered in track ... State qualifier, district champion, all-conference and all-county pick in the shot put ... Majored in industrial technology at Purdue ... Supporter of the Ron Burton Training Village ... Served as the honorary ringmaster for the Big Apple Circus in 2008 in a fundraising performance to benefit the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp ... In recognition of his outstanding work in the community, was presented with the President's Volunteer Service Award on Nov. 30, 2008 by Steve Preston, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development ... Was featured in a SoBe Water Commercial that aired during Super Bowl XLIII in Feb. 2009 ... His charitable foundation, The Light Foundation, was featured on Inside The NFL in 2009 ... Has his own website, mattlight72.com ... Matt and his wife Susie have three children - Collin, William and Gracie.
 


Extra Points

  • The Light Foundation is dedicated to empowering young people through grants, scholarships and outdoor activities. In addition to raising and donating thousands of dollars each year, the foundation has conducted football camps for more than 800 youths and workshops or programs for more than 1,000 others.
  • Matt has purchased 200 acres in Greenville, Ohio to locate The Light Foundation's "Rules of 72" Outdoor Learning Facility, where youths of all shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds will enjoy outdoor activities.
  • Matt's annual Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out, a clay-shooting tournament attended by many of his teammates, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity since it was started in 2005.

Charitable

The Light Foundation

In February of 2003, Matt established the Light Foundation, a charity that awards scholarships to high school students in the places he has played football: his hometown of Greenville, Ohio, West Lafayette, Ind. and New England. Matt's foundation donated new weights, jerseys and equipment to his former high school team this past off-season.

Information on Matt's Foundation can be found on www.mattlightfoundation.org


Honors and Awards

2008
President's Volunteer Service Award

2007
Pro Bowl Starter
Associated Press All-Pro: First Team
Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-NFL Team
Pro Football Weekly/PFWA All-AFC Team
USA Today All-Pro Team
NFL.com All-Interview Team

2006
Pro Bowl

2005
New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award

2004
NFL.com's All-Interview Team

2001
Football News All-Rookie Team
 


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