Matt Light thought a 2007 email from Bill Belichick was a prank. It led to a humorous exchange.
"Finally Matt, there is no need to use multi-syllable words in your email that neither you nor I know. I am unimpressed."
Matt Light’s “most treasured” possession is an email exchange with Bill Belichick: Former Patriots left tackle Matt Light was a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams during his 11 years with New England.
Yet for all of the wins and accomplishments, the now-retired offensive lineman claims that his most prized possession is a one-of-a-kind email exchange with Bill Belichick that he initially thought was a prank.
He recently shared the story during an appearance on “Games With Names,” a podcast hosted by fellow former Patriot Julian Edelman.
“I have never had a conversation with Bill about any of the funny stuff that’s ever happened between [us],” said Light, a noted team prankster during his career. “The most treasured thing that I own in my life is an email exchange between Bill Belichick and I.”
Light explained how rare a Belichick email was for players, with Edelman adding that he’d only ever exchanged texts with his former coach.
“Bill doesn’t do human stuff,” Light said half-jokingly.
The backstory began in 2007, with Light then serving as a representative for the NFL Players Association. Edelman pointed out that Belichick hated the NFLPA, as it placed limitations on his practices.
“He couldn’t do anything to us, because he had [Mike] Vrabel and myself,” Light said of the Patriots’ headstrong reps in that period of time.
But after returning from an NFLPA round of meetings in Hawaii in the spring, Light saw an email from Belichick. Initially assuming it was a prank, he “spent all night” drafting a response to what he assumed was a joke delivered via teammate (and fellow offensive lineman) Dan Koppen.
“And I’d missed the whole first week of the offseason program because I was at the meetings,” Light added. “I had to go. The next day was Monday, so I’m going to be jumping in a week late.”
After sending his fake email to Koppen, Light slowly sussed out the following day that Belichick had, in fact, actually sent the original.
Only after he was shown the “sent” inbox on Belichick’s computer by longtime director of football/head coach administration Berj Najarian did Light finally believe the email was real.
Asked to read the email, Light quickly pulled it up on his phone via April 7, 2007. It began with Belichick quoting Light’s remarks in an article from that time talking about the importance of the offseason program (even though Light himself had missed the first week).
“Hey Matt, just read this quote from you…what the f***?” Belichick began.
Given the context, Light explained why he thought it was a joke.
“So you see that when I [saw] this, that’s got to be Koppen,” Light said. “They’re messing with me. That’s not real. And Bill doesn’t send emails.”
He then resumed reading Belichick’s initial email:
We have over 50 guys here working out today, and the one who isn’t here does all the talking about how important all the offseason is. Figures. A lot of your teammates were concerned about you, and asked why you weren’t here. But don’t worry, we let them know that you’re in Hawaii for a week.
If you want to get something productive done out there, why don’t you have them move this meeting to the week BEFORE teams start their offseason programs?
Very respectfully yours,
Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots
Light said it “took him days” to draft a response, but that he felt he had no choice. Still, he admitted that he “thought it would get him fired.”
Here is, per Light, his letter in response:
Coach B,
First of all, allow me to apologize for not responding earlier to your prior email. It has been my experience, limited as it may be, that a reflexive response does not serve anyone well. Thus I felt it necessary to permit time to militate a more measured, philosophic response. As you are certainly better aware than anyone, we as human beings are not automatons. Rather, we stand as a compilation of free willed, rational beings.
Given this, it becomes critical to impose a measure of collectivism for the benefit of the order. I realize that the concept of collectivism strikes a measure of abhorrence in our rugged, individualistic society, but it is such a collective good that allows us all to benefit, and it does not require a study of the incunabulum for us to realize that both coaches and players gain from a measured, collective relationship with the financial bully pulpit held by the owners.
Given this, and despite my commitment to the offseason programs, I felt compelled to move forward the collective good of the players through attendance at the PA meetings. In the long run, it is generally for the benefit of all. My commitment to this end is in no way a negative reflection on my dedication and commitment to optimizing my personal performance to the greatest advantage of the team.
Your humble free-willed left tackle,
Matt Light
Reflecting on the email, Light said that he initially felt good sending it, and that he “kind of got off my chest why I felt I needed to be in attendance [for the PA meetings].”
“It didn’t seem like that big of a deal,” Light added, before unveiling Belichick’s response, which he titled “concluding remarks.”
Matt,
I need some time to let this one settle, but I’ll start with this: Why don’t you consider dedicating yourself to having fewer mistakes, and not leading the team (once again) in being the most penalized player on our offense? Your numerous false start penalties, in evidence again at the Pro Bowl, and other transgressions like taunting continue to make me think that your distractions off the field affect your concentration on the field.
My advice if you have an interest in improving your performance, would be to minimize your distractions and focus on maximizing your physical development and technique in the offseason program.
I continue to feel that you were totally out of line commenting on the importance of the program when you were not in attendance with the rest of the team.
Finally Matt, there is no need to use multi-syllable words in your email that neither you nor I know. I am unimpressed.
This will conclude my email exchange and I will return my efforts of trying to do a better job of coaching this football team. As for the PA meetings, don’t worry about helping me. As I have said many times, and I remind myself, the best thing we can for ourselves and our families is WIN. Try to keep that in mind in your quest for world peace.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Bill Belichick, Head Coach of the New England Patriots
“That’s it, man,” Light joked. “That’s all I need in life. And we’ve never once acknowledged it. I played for another four seasons, and it never came up in a conversation.”
Light went on to share a few other humorous Belichick anecdotes, including some of his particularly bold pranks.
Belichick, for his part, kept Light around for the entirety of the left tackle’s NFL career. And when Light retired in 2012, Belichick offered a lengthy and heartfelt statement that also included some jokes of his own. Appropriately, it acknowledged Light as the “ultimate prankster.”
Trivia: The Patriots picked Matt Light in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Who was New England’s first-round pick that year?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
Scores and schedules:
The Red Sox lost to the Braves 8-3 on Tuesday. Boston and Atlanta play again this evening at Fenway Park at 1:35 p.m.
The NBA Finals begin on Thursday with the Celtics hosting the Mavericks for Game 1 at 8:30 p.m.
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Drake Maye’s comments after practice: The Patriots’ rookie shared his thoughts on hitting the field with his new NFL teammates.
On this day: In 2001, the Red Sox defeated the Tigers 4-3 in an 18-inning marathon in which Manny Ramirez was intentionally walked four times (though he still went 2-for-4 with a home run).
The game finally ended with rookie Shea Hillenbrand hitting a walk-off home run over the Green Monster, giving Tim Wakefield the win.
Daily highlight: Lisbeth Ovalle scored a fantastic goal to help Mexico tie Canada 1-1 in an international friendly on Tuesday.
Trivia answer: Richard Seymour
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