Todd Lyght facts for kids

Todd William Lyght (born February 9, 1969) is a former American football player. He played as a cornerback for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Todd Lyght also played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was named an All-American twice during his college career.

Lyght played in the NFL from 1991 to 2002. He finished his career with 37 interceptions and four touchdowns. His best season was in 1999 with the St. Louis Rams. That year, he intercepted six passes and helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV. He was also chosen for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team that season. After retiring as a player, he became a coach. He coached defensive backs for his old college team, Notre Dame.

Early Life and High School Football

Todd Lyght was born on February 9, 1969, in Kwajalein, which is now part of the Marshall Islands. His father was in the U.S. Army. Lyght went to Powers Catholic High School in Flint, Michigan. There, he played both wide receiver and cornerback.

In his senior year, he was a team captain. He caught 38 passes for 877 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He also intercepted 19 passes as a cornerback. Besides football, Lyght was also a talented track and field athlete.

College Football Career

Lyght played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was a top player, earning All-American honors in both 1989 and 1990. He was a starter at cornerback for three years. In his final season, his teammates chose him as a team captain.

As a freshman in 1987, he played more than any other first-year player. He made 29 tackles and had one interception. In 1988, he became a starter and helped Notre Dame win the 1989 Fiesta Bowl. This victory completed an undefeated season for Notre Dame. The team was named the national champion that year.

In 1989, as a junior, he intercepted eight passes. This was close to the school record. He also made 47 tackles. Lyght finished his college career with 161 tackles and 11 interceptions. He also played in the 1991 Hula Bowl, an all-star game for college players.

Professional Football Journey

Joining the NFL Draft

Todd Lyght was one of the best players available in the 1991 NFL draft. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 185 pounds. He could run very fast, completing a 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds. Many people thought he was the best athlete in the draft. The Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator, Jeff Fisher, even rated Lyght as the top defensive player.

Playing for the Rams

The Los Angeles Rams picked Lyght as the fifth overall player in the 1991 NFL Draft. He was the second cornerback chosen that year. After signing his contract, Lyght became one of the highest-paid players on the Rams. In his first year, he started the last eight games as a left cornerback.

In 1994, Lyght had a great season without injuries. He made 84 tackles and led the team with 14 passes defended. He even scored a touchdown by returning a fumble 74 yards. In 1995, the Rams moved to St. Louis. Lyght started all 16 games and had four interceptions.

In 1996, Lyght signed a new contract. He had his best year yet, with 105 tackles and five interceptions. He also broke up 19 passes. In 1999, Lyght was chosen for the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro team. He made 65 tackles and had six interceptions. He scored his fourth career touchdown by returning an interception 57 yards. Lyght also helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV that year. He even blocked a field goal attempt in the Super Bowl game!

Time with the Detroit Lions

In 2001, Lyght signed with the Detroit Lions. He had a good season, starting all 16 games. He made 59 tackles and intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown. In 2002, he played in 16 games and started 14. He made 99 tackles and intercepted two passes.

On December 29, 2002, Lyght set an NFL record. He became the oldest player (at 33 years old) to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown. This was his sixth defensive touchdown in his career. Lyght retired from the NFL after the 2002 season.

Career Statistics

Coaching Career Highlights

After his playing career, Todd Lyght became a football coach in 2009. His first coaching job was at Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada. While he was there, the team won state championships in 2009 and 2010.

In 2011, Lyght joined the staff at the University of Oregon as a defensive intern. He then became an assistant defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL in 2013. This reunited him with Chip Kelly, who was his coach at Oregon.

In 2015, Lyght was hired by the University of Notre Dame to coach defensive backs. During his time as an assistant coach at Notre Dame, the team had a strong record of 47 wins and 17 losses.

Personal Life and Community Work

Todd Lyght has set up scholarships at St. Mary's Elementary, Powers Catholic High School, and the University of Notre Dame. In 1995, he gave $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund. This was part of the NFL's Golden Circle program, which supports education.