Todd Lyght

Todd William Lyght (born February 9, 1969 in Kwajalein, Marshall Islands), is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. A 6'0", 191-lb. cornerback from the University of Notre Dame and Flint Powers Catholic High School, Lyght played in 12 NFL seasons from 1991 to 2002. His best year as a pro came during the 1999 season for the Super Bowl champion Rams, when he intercepted 6 passes for 112 yards and 1 touchdown and was named All-Pro and voted to the Pro Bowl.

Early years
Lyght attended  Luke   Powers Catholic High in Flint, Mi. and lettered twice as wide receiver and defensive back and served as team captain senior when he caught 38 passes for 877 yards with nine touchdowns and intercepted 19 passes. He also lettered three times in track and field. Terrell Owens said that Lyght was one of the four best corners he ever faced. The other names on the list included Deion Sanders, Aeneas Williams, and Charles Woodson.

College
Lyght was a two-time All-American (1989, 1990) and started for three years at Notre Dame. During his senior year was a captain of the football team, and was awarded the Kris Samons Trophy, an award given annually to the nation's premier defensive back who "waxes" the competition.

He had more playing time in 1987 than any other freshman, making 29 tackles, causing one fumble, breaking up two passes and making one interception. Then he became a three-year starter at cornerback from 1988-90. Lyght led team in tackles in 1989 Fiesta Bowl win over West Virginia for the national championship. He was one of captains for 1990 season. He finished his career with 161 tackles; caused one fumble; broke up 20.5 passes; had 11 interceptions for 55 return yards and one TD. He also played in 1991 Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl. As a junior in 1989 he intercepted eight passes (two shy of school record) as junior and  registered 47 total tackles (27 solo). He ranked eighth in final NCAA standings in 1989 for interceptions and was a finalist for 1989 Jim Thorpe Award.

Pre-draft
Lyght was considered the leading defensive back in the draft. He measured 6-foot and 185-pounds and ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash.

Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams
Lyght was a first-round pick of Los Angeles Rams in 1991 NFL Draft. On August 16, 1991, Lyght signed a five-year $5.6 million deal with the Rams. As a rookie in 1991, Lyght started the last eight games of the season at left cornerback after battling several early-season injuries. In 1992 he missed four games after dislocating his shoulder versus Miami 9/20/1992. He was the NFC Defensive Player of Week after posting nine tackles and two interceptions against New England 9/13/1992. The next season, 1993, Lyght tied for team lead with two interceptions but suffered a knee injury in pregame drills against Washington 11/21/1993 and was placed on injured reserve 11/23/1993.

In 1994 he made most of first injury-free season; was fourth on team with 84 tackles (72 solo) and led team with 14 passes defensed. He scored Rams' first touchdown of season with 74-yard fumble return against Arizona on 9/4/1994. He often drew the opposing teams' best wide receiver, such as Jerry Rice, rather than play his normal left cornerback position. In 1995 the Rams moved to St. Louis. That season he started 16 games at left cornerback and finished second on the team with a then-career-high of four interceptions. Three times he received defensive game ball from coaches (9/10, 9/17/ and 10/12/1995)

On April 14, 1996, Lyght signed a new five-year $10.5 million contract with $4 million guaranteed in 1996 bonus and salary. That season Lyght established career-highs in tackles (105), interceptions (5) and pass breakups (19) and added 10 special teams tackles. In 1997 he started all 16 games at cornerback and participated on special teams; he finished third on team in tackles with 107 and second in passes defensed with 23, along with  four  interceptions, one sack, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The next season, 1998, he again started all 16 games at left corner and played on special teams finishing fifth on team in tackles with 87 and first in pass  defensed with 20, along with  three interceptions, 1½ sacks, and three forced fumbles.

In 1999 Lyght earned his first Pro Bowl selection was as a First-team All-Pro as well. He recorded 65 tackles and had 6 interceptions, 2½ sacks, 15 passes defenses and one forced fumble. He scored his fourth career touchdown on a 57-yard interception return versus Carolina on November 14, 1999. He also recorded 22 tackles, had one interception and deflected 5 passes in the playoffs as the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV. He also blocked a field goal in the Super Bowl as well.

Detroit Lions
On April 12, 2001, Lyght signed a two-year $2.5 million contract with the Lions. He had a fine season with the Lions in 2001 playing in and starting 16 games, making 59 tackles and intercepting four passes, one he returned for a touchdown. In 2002 he playing in 16 games and started 14 and made 99 tackles and picked off two passes. On December 29, 2002, Lyght set an NFL record for being the oldest player to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown (33 years, 323 days). It was the sixth defensive touchdown in Lyght's career (along with four touchdowns off of interceptions and one from a fumble recovery).

Personal
Lyght established a series of scholarships at St. Mary's Elementary (Alexandria, Va.), L.M. Powers Catholic High, and Notre Dame. In 1995, he donated $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund as part of NFL's Golden Circle.

Todd Lyght