MMQB - Light's take on life after football

MoLewisrocks · May 7, 2012

Seems to have a lot to do with his take before and during football. It wasn't his life or the way he defined himself. It was something he had an opportunity to do and he appreciates all it taught him and provided for his family and his true passions. He always knew last year was going to be it.

One day he may have issues to deal with, but you get the feeling he will be better equipped to than many of his peers and it won't be because of anything the league mandated. It will be because he was a lot better adjusted individual to begin with than many of his peers.

This is why the culture has to change. From without and within. It's always going to be a way out for a lot of guys. But they have to be counseled from an early age that what you do isn't who you are. And you're not at war, you play a game because you're athletically gifted enough to. You can get a lot out of it, a college education, a small fortune and potential financial security for a generation, elevated profile with which to impact lives beyond your own small circle of friends that affords you to do something that will have lasting impact long after your necessarily brief professional on field career is over. Society is as responsible for what has gone wrong with these players during and after their careers as the league is. The game doesn't have to be brutal to be fascinating.

I think a lot of players, particularly on defense, fear that they will become less of a force and focus if brutality is not glorified. And on both sides of the ball they fear that the time will come when the league legislates how long you play because neither players nor individual teams (like Cleveland) can be trusted to do the right thing and make the best decision for all concerned. The call now is for mandatory counseling for retirees... How you going to mandate it, by tying their pension benefits to it? Good luck getting the NFLPA behind anything mandatory in the name of the greater good...

I'm really worried about Rodney. Not a peep and we know he's been dealing with some symptoms for a while now. I hope his brothers and his past and present employers and collegues (including the lawyer turned internet analyst) have reached out to him because we as fans unfortunately can't.

This one was special because it would be my last. I hadn't told that to anyone but it was something that I'd known for most the season. Kind of nice that the Super Bowl would be my last stop. For those of you who know the outcome of the game you are perhaps laughing or feeling sorry for me. All that hard work and effort for nothing ... The last memory in pads forever ruined by the Giant hands of defeat ... So close to a world championship. But those were never my thoughts.

Sure, I was upset about the outcome. I've never gone into any game thinking we would lose. It seemed like déjà vu. Same team, same stakes, same outcome. But there was a big difference this time. Instead of hanging my head, I actually felt blessed. As my teammates struggled to find the words to express their disappointment, I was reminded how fortunate I'd been during my entire career --

See, I decided to raffle off two tickets to the game. Throughout the week we used the media hype to bring awareness to our foundation, The Light Foundation. We had been working on plans for a new turf field, timber frame pavilion and restroom facility, and through the raffle, we raised $272,000, enough to make these significant improvements on our 400 acres we've developed as a camp to work with at-risk teenage boys near my hometown of Greenville, Ohio. I'm sharing this story with you because I think it helps illustrate the best of the NFL.

The day after the Super Bowl, I headed back to my home in Ohio to begin clearing the land for the turf field...It's truly incredible to watch a team of people, all donating their time, work together to create opportunities for kids. The work we've done will certainly outlast anything I could ever accomplish on the field.

I didn't grow up wanting to play football. Never thought a college would pay for me to join their team. The draft was just a reason to throw a party and I'd never seen a pro football game in person until I played in one. Yet, this unbelievable journey has provided my family and I with more than we could ever ask for and the ability to help those around us. That is the biggest victory of my career and why I will forever be grateful to the Patriots organization and the NFL.

I don't remember plays from games or any other details that involve what most fans watch. I've never gone back and watched a tape from one of our games on TV. So while I'm sure I will miss a lot of what's been my life as a lineman, the things that have always been the most important to me will still be. I love a good challenge and the art of negotiation. Problem-solving and hard work are actually fun. Being a dad is still the greatest part of my day and the friendships that were created over the past 11 seasons will forever be cherished. The game of football has taught me more about life than X's and O's. It's about patience, humility, honor, perseverance, and the Belichick way-at least to me, that's what's important to have the best chance to win, and to build a long career.

Junior Seau's death has fans looking differently at the player safety issue - Peter King - SI.com

satz · May 7, 2012

Is he he greatest LT the Pats ever had ,i wonder?

MoLewisrocks · May 7, 2012

Matt's retirement ceremony and press conference is about to get underway live at Official Website of the New England Patriots | Home

upstater1 · May 7, 2012

satz said:
Is he he greatest LT the Pats ever had ,i wonder?

No, not as good as Bruce Armstrong, IMO.

upstater1 · May 7, 2012

by the way, Belichick's criteria that football be incredibly important to a player is not written in stone.

BB4PRez · May 7, 2012

When I heard he retired I was of the opinion that he could and probably would come back if and when one of the guys on the line went down. Light could skip training camp and stil contribute to the team.

I have changed my mind. He is done. As much as anyone on the team he represents the "B" level player who through effort and coaching played at an "A-" (or better) level consistantly. Filling the roster with guys like that is the Pats model for long term success.

A leader in the charity work. Best of luck to him in the future.

Lampshade · May 7, 2012

Better than Armstrong.

I love Matt Light. The most underrated member of this run.

satz · May 7, 2012

upstater1 said:
No, not as good as Bruce Armstrong, IMO.

I am talking about competition....did bruce armstrong played against say a freeney,taylor ,shobel twice every year.speed and power.

PatsWickedPissah · May 7, 2012

upstater1 said:
by the way, Belichick's criteria that football be incredibly important to a player is not written in stone.

A good LT but way over rated

upstater1 · May 7, 2012

satz said:
I am talking about competition....did bruce armstrong played against say a freeney,taylor ,shobel twice every year.speed and power.

Bruce Smith? Cornelius Bennett? Daryl Talley? Mo Lewis? Jeff Lageman? Hugh Douglas? Jason Taylor? Hugh Green?

Freeney twice a year?

upstater1 · May 7, 2012

Lampshade said:
Better than Armstrong.

I love Matt Light. The most underrated member of this run.

Bruce Armstrong was a perennial All-Pro who stoned one of the greatest pass rushers of all time on a regular bases. When it comes to power and speed, who would you guys rather have? Bruce Smith or Dwight Freeney?

chris_in_sunnyvale · May 7, 2012

satz said:
I am talking about competition....did bruce armstrong played against say a freeney,taylor ,shobel twice every year.speed and power.

Armstrong played against Bruce Smith twice every year, who IIRC said Armstrong was the best LT he faced. Plus, Freeney and Taylor often gave Light fits.

Edit: Sorry to hijack the OP's thread. I always liked Light's approach to the game and life in general. And as far as the last game to end his career, he went out on top in my book as he played a stellar game in SB46.

Regards,
Chris

Teapot · May 7, 2012

I like the guy but its nothing more that an above average LT.

TruthSeeker · May 7, 2012

Besides having a great career, Light is a great person and a great community service person. He also does well in front of the camera, great sense of humor. I would not be shocked to see him on TV doing games, though it seems like football isn't a be all and end all passion of his. I am very proud of him as a person though, he truly wants to help others, and feels fortunate to have been blessed with a career that he had. Truly a rare and genuine person.

Hazy · May 7, 2012

Teapot said:
I like the guy but its nothing more that an above average LT.

I disagree. He may not have been 'Elite' and wont come close to HoF but he was always in the top5 LTs in league for 10 years, thats an impressive career.

Matt Light retiring is a massive loss to the Patriots. He was a tremendous player and Patriot.

I think he was massively underrated around the league, he only made 3 probowls! For 10 years he was trusted with protecting Brady's blindside against some serious pass rushers, Jason Taylor twice a year, Aaron Schobel twice a year and Dwight Freeney nearly twice a year. Bob Kraft mentioned in his retirement speech that only 5 players have started 5 Superbowls and Light was the only non-QB to do it.

Altough i think we have a great replacement in Solder, i dont think Solder would start this year if Light was available and also his presense and leasership in the locker room will be greatly missed.

I was hoping he would stay for one last year and play out his contract but oh well. I hope he enjoys his retirement and he will go down as one of the greatest Patriots of all time.

Ghost of Ben Dreith · May 7, 2012

None of us will ever be able to give an opion or "proof" that will substanially change anybody's mind on Light. Its OK....not a problem.

I watched all of the Pats LOT's play and there has never been one better than Light. Is Light better than Armstrong....heck....I don't know....and even better...I don't care. They were both great Patriot players I was lucky to have watched.

My prediction....by the end of 2012 season, there will be threads questioning how the heck did the Patriots screw up by taking Solder so early when there better picks out there followed by we need to move Seabass to LOT and how we need to draft a LOT in 2013.......it will probably just take the first game the 2nd year pro gets schooled this year or the first blind side hit on TFB. Like moths to a flame.....

I think Light will do just fine in retirement....he seems to have his ducks in a row. Thanks for the years....and see you in the Pats Hall of Fame.

Lampshade · May 7, 2012

upstater1 said:
Bruce Armstrong was a perennial All-Pro who stoned one of the greatest pass rushers of all time on a regular bases. When it comes to power and speed, who would you guys rather have? Bruce Smith or Dwight Freeney?

Pass pro, sure I'll give Armstrong the edge. Run blocking, Light was a monster. Both were great Patriots, but as an all-round LT I'm taking Matt Light.

Not that I agree with Pro Bowls as a great indicator, but Armstrong's 6 is not that many more than Light's 4. And Light is the only one to have been a first team All-Pro. Armstrong certainly had more hype coming out of college than Light ever did, which is often a factor in pro bowl voting.

MoLewisrocks · May 7, 2012

upstater1 said:
by the way, Belichick's criteria that football be incredibly important to a player is not written in stone.

Actually it is, although the criteria is actually that football matters, which is not to be confused with football being what defines you. Often times that mindset runs contrary to the overall team goal he is seeking to accomplish. Matt was pretty clear if you listened to him today in articulating that while he never dreamed he would land in the NFL let alone have a double digit career, once he got here he embraced the challenge and actually used that as motivation to challenge himself to prove he could not only play here but play well enough to have a double digit career.

Bill doesn't simply value football lifers. He values committment and people who can be counted on to consistently perform whatever task is at hand at a high level and to the best of their ability because they are committed and determined to. I think that came from his dad and the environment where he chose to have his son grow up, Annapolis. Once football isn't something you are committed to you are free to go...with his heartfelt gratitude for the time and effort you dedicated to playing the game.

So typical of this venue though that every thread eventually gets hijacked into an unsolicited opinion pole on relative value...

Light was never an all pro talent, although he played at close to that level on occasion and in particular during his final season. He acknowledged that perhaps it was due to the realization that it would be that. He became however a very competent and consistent player at a position of significance in a supremely well coached HOF QB'd offense for a decade - and that's nothing to sneeze or sneer at and also something worth noting, as he did... We can only hope his young successor does at least as well. He's probably got a little more upside since he's a tad more talented and athletic, but being that guy is not always primarily what serves you best at the next level. It's how hard you work and how hard the guys around you work and how talented they are that generally allows half of these arguments to commence... There have not been a lot of HOF talents playing in their prime during this incredible decade plus run, but a lot of guys who as a team played well enough to pave the road to becoming a dynasty franchise. Matt seems to think the blueprint is etched in stone as long as Bill and Bob and perhaps Tom remain at the helm.

Wotan_the_Wanderer · May 7, 2012

upstater1 said:
No, not as good as Bruce Armstrong, IMO.

Nor Leon Gray, which I'm sure given Matt Light's well-rooted perspectives, aren't insults by a long shot. Light coming in as a third stringer on an all-time Pats squad only means Pats fans have really been lucky at the great level of play at the LT spot throughout the decades.

Spergon Wynn · May 7, 2012

He's an awesome dude. Sure there have been times where I cursed at him for a sack allowed but he always seems genuine.

I certainly won't be surprised to see him pop up every now and then on television.

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