FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – On Monday, Dec. 10, the Patriots will bring in some extra Lights when they host their first prime time game of the regular season against the AFC-leading Houston Texans on ESPN's Monday Night Football. At halftime, the team will honor Matt Light, who announced his retirement on May 7 this year after spending his entire 11-year career as a member of the New England Patriots. Light becomes the fifth Patriots player since Gillette Stadium opened in 2002 to play his entire career with the Patriots and receive the halftime honor after retiring, giving Patriots fans an opportunity to express their appreciation for the veteran's many championship contributions. He joins former teammates Kevin Faulk (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2010), Troy Brown (2008) and Ted Johnson (2005) to receive the honor.

Light was originally selected by the Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He anchored the left tackle position on the offensive line for 11 seasons and helped deliver 11 consecutive seasons with a winning record, nine division championships, five conference titles and three Super Bowls. On Feb. 5, 2012, he tied an NFL record when he started in his fifth Super Bowl, joining teammate Tom Brady along with Cornelius Bennett, John Elway and Charles Haley as the only other players to accomplish the feat. In 2009, he was recognized as one of the best players in franchise history when he was named to the Patriots' 50th Anniversary Team.

Light earned three Pro Bowl honors following the 2006, 2007 and 2010 seasons. He played in 175 regular season games with 173 starts including all 20 postseason games and helped the Patriots' offense finish in the top 10 seven times. Light earned Pro Bowl honors, Associated Press All-Pro first-team and Pro Football Weekly All-NFL in 2007 after helping New England finish first in total offense with an NFL record of 589 total points and 75 touchdowns.

Beyond his impressive on-field accomplishments, Light was instrumental in his work in the community and was the recipient of numerous awards for his efforts. He founded "The Light Foundation" in 2002, an organization that is dedicated to empowering young people through grants, scholarships and outdoor activities. In 2005, he earned the New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award, presented annually to a player in recognition of his contributions both on the field and in the community.