Light was at Gillette Stadium Monday night, where he talked about his life outside of football.
FOXBOROUGH – There’s something to be said for being on the outside looking in.
It’s clear that Matt Light misses football and the camaraderie that comes with, but looking out at Gillette Stadium turf and seeing Houston defensive end J.J. Watt reminded him of why he decided to hang up his cleats prior to the season.
“There’s a lot of people I’m glad I don’t face any more,” he said. “My life is a lot more relaxed.”
Light, who was at Gillette Stadium to thank the fans during halftime of Monday’s game against the Houston Texans, said that his adjustment to life on the outside hasn’t been as seamless as he’d expected. The rigorous schedule of football has been replaced with free time and various other endeavors.
Light manages a few businesses and has kept himself busy by doing some work for ESPN as an analyst, but it’s not quite been the same.
“The thing that I miss the most is competing for something on a level that most don’t,” Light said. “It’s almost military precision with which we got about each day. It’s really hard to find that in the real world.”
While away, Light has kept a close eye on the Patriots and said that he’s been impressed with the way Nate Solder has seamlessly stepping in for him (“He had a great mentor,” Light joked).
He said it’s impossible for him to know where the Patriots season is heading, but he likes their chances of getting back to the Super Bowl.
“I know there’s a few constants. The coach is pretty good,” Light said. “The organization as a whole is real good. And I guess I have to go now, back and the coach is really good. And the assistants, there’s not a whole lot of change. … Overall I would be surprised if they didn’t have what it takes.”