{"id":43741,"date":"2018-05-16T14:18:14","date_gmt":"2018-05-16T18:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=43741"},"modified":"2021-03-20T15:18:33","modified_gmt":"2021-03-20T19:18:33","slug":"matt-light-to-be-inducted-into-new-england-patriots-hall-of-fame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/05\/16\/matt-light-to-be-inducted-into-new-england-patriots-hall-of-fame\/","title":{"rendered":"Matt Light to Be Inducted Into New England Patriots Hall of Fame"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Wednesday, it was announced that offensive tackle\u00a0Matt Light<\/a><\/strong> would be inducted into the New England Patriots<\/a> Hall of Fame as the sole inductee for 2018. Light was selected by fan vote and beat out linebacker\u00a0Mike Vrabel<\/a><\/strong> and defensive end\u00a0Richard Seymour<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Welcome to #TheHall<\/a>, @LightFoundation<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Matt Light announced as 2018 @Patriots<\/a> Hall of Fame Inductee: https:\/\/t.co\/VfpSkVpIlk<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AAH6bWskVl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Hall at Patriot Place presented by Raytheon (@TheHall) May 16, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Matt Light Selected as 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee<\/strong><\/h1>\n

With his induction, Light becomes the 27th person to be honored in the pantheon of Patriot greats. Light spent his entire 11-year career in New England and helped the team win three of their five Super Bowls. He joins\u00a0Troy Brown<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Tedy Bruschi<\/a><\/strong>, and\u00a0Kevin Faulk<\/a><\/strong> as the only career players with three Super Bowl rings in The Hall.<\/p>\n

Light was drafted by the Patriots out of Purdue in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft and immediately\u00a0began carving out a spectacular career. He was an impact player during his rookie season, making 12 starts and allowing the Patriots rushing offense to average more than 112 yards per game. The Patriots faced the St. Louis Rams<\/a> to cap off the 2001 season in Super Bowl XXXVI, and Light’s work as the starting left tackle was instrumental in the unlikely victory.<\/p>\n

The Patriots missed the playoffs in 2002, but Light found himself on the game’s biggest stage in Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers<\/a> in 2003. The Panthers defensive line failed to record a single sack against Light’s offensive front. He collected his third and final ring at the end of the 2004 season, during which Light’s offensive line helped\u00a0Corey Dillon<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>set a single-season franchise record of 1,635 rushing yards. The Patriots defeated the Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> in Super Bowl XXXIX<\/a> to round out their phenomenal season.<\/p>\n

Although Light would fail to win another Super Bowl, he helped the team make it to two more Super Bowl appearances, falling both times to the New York Giants<\/a>. Of the 155 career games that Light appeared in, he started 153, failing to get the start only during his rookie season. Light started all 16 games of the season seven times during his career.<\/p>\n

The Patriots were well aware of Light’s impact, and the NFL awarded him for his efforts in the latter half of his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl thrice during his illustrious career, making the AFC team in 2006, 2007, and 2010. He was also an All-Pro first-teamer in 2007.<\/p>\n

The induction ceremony will be held at The Hall at Patriot Place on September 29th.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>