1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Week 1 @ Miami Dolphins And the best performance of the season also happened to be the highest-graded QB display of all time. His season may not have ended as he would have liked, but it started with an incredible effort: 517 yards on 48 attempts. The previous year we’d suggested Brady was more dink-and-dunk than people were prepared to admit, but he started off 2011 by picking up 320 yards on balls thrown more than 10 yards as the Patriots put the Dolphins in their place.
Here’s the video they played at the ceremony today, and after you watch this one I suggest you watch BB’s comments which were hilarious.
Light loved his teammates. He loved the on-field challenge of his individual task, which was shutting down the game’s best. He worked incredibly hard at it. Yet Light brushed away getting beat better than any player I’ve talked to, often saying, “Yup, I screwed up. It happens.” He had other parts of his life that were important — his family, his faith, his charity — so he never took it to heart. That made him so productive. He didn’t dwell on mistakes.
Behind the Scenes with New England Patriots Visa Commercial ‘07 (by pkapproductions)
Longest-tenured Patriots (Brady, Faulk, and Light) pt 1 (by dodie2g)
Thanks for the memories Matt Light, as he officially announces his retirement this morning. The bearded brotherhood will never be the same without their leader.
When a team drafts a left tackle it’s easy to speculate that they won’t have to worry about the position for another decade, but Matt Light is an instance where that is actually true.
He was the heart and soul of an offensive line that protected Tom Brady in six conference championships and five Super Bowls. It just doesn’t get any better than that.
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.
Today, on the day I retire, I’d be remiss if I didn’t pay tribute to my former teammate, Junior Seau, who we lost last Wednesday. His death is a sad reminder of how much we ALL struggle with life. And finally, to all my fans, friends, teammates and family: Thank you. I’m so grateful for all your support and guidance throughout my career. I look forward to civilian life.
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| — | Junior Seau’s death has fans looking differently at the player safety issue - Peter King - SI.com |
