Matt Light

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Light was born in Greenville, Ohio. He attended Greenville High School, where he played football for the Green Wave as a three-year two-way starter. On defense, he played linebacker and was a second-team Division II all-state selection at the position, and as a senior earned all-county, all-conference, and all-district honors after making 69 tackles and forcing two fumbles. On offense, he played guard as a sophomore, tackle as a junior, and tight end as a senior, when he caught four passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. He also competed in the shot put in track and field, and was a district champion as well as an all-county and all-conference selection. Light attended Purdue University, where he played for the Purdue Boilermakers football team from 1996 to 2000. He began his career as a true freshman tight end in 1996, appearing in seven games as a reserve and making one reception for 16 yards. He redshirted the 1997 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery in the spring. In 1998, he moved to left tackle, starting 13 games and earning an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection as part of an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks of future Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees. In 1999, Light started 12 games for an offensive line that allowed just 15 sacks, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. In the 2000 season, Light earned first-team All-Big Ten recognition after starting 12 games at left tackle, helping an offensive line that gave up only seven sacks en route to a Big Ten title and Rose Bowl Game appearance. Light was drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2001 NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He started 12 of 14 games played during his rookie season in 2001, helping a Patriots running game which averaged 112.2 yards per game. He was the starting left tackle for an offensive line that led the way for 133 yards on 25 carries (5.3 yard average) in the Patriots 20–17 victory in Super Bowl XXXVI over the St. Louis Rams. He was named to the Football News 2001 NFL All-Rookie Team following the season. Light returned in 2002 to start all 16 games at left tackle for the Patriots, who missed the playoffs. In 2003, Light again started 16 games, and earned his second Super Bowl ring after helping to not allow a sack against a Carolina Panthers defensive line in Super Bowl XXXVIII that featured Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker, Brentso

In Their Own Story

The 2004 season stood out as one of the most successful in club history for Light and his offensive line. Starting all 16 games at left tackle, he helped the team average more than four yards per carry for the first time in 19 seasons. This performance was instrumental in allowing running back Corey Dillon to set a single-season franchise record with 1,635 rushing yards. That same October, Light signed a six-year contract extension worth $27 million, cementing his role as a long-term fixture at left tackle. His resilience was tested repeatedly, most notably during the 2005 season when a broken leg suffered against the Steelers in Week 3 forced him onto injured reserve on December 22. Yet, he returned in 2006 to start every game and was recognized for his play with a Pro Bowl selection the following year. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Light’s line did not allow a single sack against a formidable Carolina Panthers defensive front featuring Kris Jenkins, Mike Rucker, Brentson Buckner, and Julius Peppers. Conversely, in Super Bowl XLII, the line allowed five sacks of Tom Brady during a loss to the New York Giants, highlighting the physical volatility of his position.

Reader's Guide

Matt Light was a left tackle for the New England Patriots from 2001 to 2011. He earned three Super Bowl rings (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) and was selected to three Pro Bowls (2007 game as a replacement, 2008 game, and 2010 game as a replacement). He started all 16 games in multiple seasons and was a key part of the Patriots' offensive line.

Did You Know?

• Light was a district champion in the shot put in high school.
• He redshirted the 1997 season after left shoulder surgery.
• He was named to the Football News 2001 NFL All-Rookie Team.
• Light signed a six-year, $27 million contract extension in October 2004.
• He founded the Light Foundation with his wife Susie in 2003.