6’4”, 305lb OT. Born June 23, 1978 in Greenville, OH

Career: 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. He 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. He 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, he 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. He 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. He 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. He 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.

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

Attended Purdue University: 1996-2000, majored in Industrial Technology

Charged with the responsibility of protecting Drew Brees' blindside from the left tackle position. Started all 37 Boilermaker games at tackle from 1998-2000. He was the 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). In 2000 (Senior): 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. In 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). In 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). In 1996 (Freshman): Appeared in seven games as a reserve tight end. Recorded one reception for 16 yards.

Attended Greenville High School: Second team 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) HS. 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. Matt also lettered in track . State qualifier, district champion, all-conference and all-county pick in the shot put.

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