Todd Lyght facts for kids
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 9, 1969 Kwajalein, TTPI |
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| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Powers Catholic (Flint, Michigan, U.S.) | ||||||
| College: | Notre Dame | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1991 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
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 year was in 1999 with the St. Louis Rams, who won the Super Bowl that season. He caught six passes that year and was chosen for the Pro Bowl team. After playing, he became an assistant coach, including coaching defensive backs at Notre Dame.
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Early Life and High School Football
Todd Lyght was born in Kwajalein, which is part of the Marshall Islands. His father was in the U.S. Army. Todd went to Powers Catholic High School in Flint, Michigan. He played both wide receiver and cornerback on the football team.
In his final year of high school, he was a team captain. He caught 38 passes for 877 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He also intercepted 19 passes as a cornerback. Todd Lyght also played track and field in high school.
College Football Career at Notre Dame
Todd Lyght played college football for the University of Notre Dame. He was recognized as an All-American in both 1989 and 1990. He was a starting cornerback for three years and became a team captain in his senior season.
In 1987, as a freshman, he made 29 tackles and had one interception. He became a starter in his second year. In 1989, Notre Dame won the 1989 Fiesta Bowl and finished the season undefeated. This led to them being named the national champions.
As a junior in 1989, Lyght intercepted eight passes. He finished his college career with 161 tackles and 11 interceptions.
Professional Football Journey
Joining the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams
Todd Lyght was a top player in the 1991 NFL draft. The Los Angeles Rams picked him as the fifth overall player. He was the second cornerback chosen in that draft.
In 1991, as a rookie, Lyght started the last eight games for the Rams. In 1992, he was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week after making nine tackles and two interceptions against the New England Patriots.
In 1995, the Rams team moved to St. Louis and became the St. Louis Rams. Lyght continued to be a key player, starting all 16 games and getting four interceptions.
Super Bowl Champion with the Rams
In 1999, Todd Lyght had an amazing season. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl and was named an All-Pro player. He made 65 tackles and had six interceptions. He also scored his fourth career touchdown by returning an interception 57 yards.
That season, the Rams went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV. Lyght played a big part in their playoff run, making 22 tackles and one interception. He even blocked a field goal attempt in the Super Bowl game.
Playing for the Detroit Lions
In 2001, Lyght signed with the Detroit Lions. He had a good season, starting all 16 games and making 59 tackles. He also intercepted four passes, returning one for a touchdown.
In 2002, he played in 16 games and made 99 tackles. On December 29, 2002, Lyght set an NFL record. He became the oldest player to return a blocked field goal for a touchdown at 33 years old. This was his sixth defensive touchdown in his career.
Todd Lyght retired from the NFL after the 2002 season.
Career Statistics
| Year | Team | Games | Combined Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Interception Return Yards | Interceptions Returned for Touchdown | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | LOS | 12 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | LOS | 12 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 80 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | LOS | 9 | 43 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| 1994 | LOS | 16 | 85 | 0.0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 13 |
| 1995 | STL | 16 | 81 | 0.0 | 4 | 34 | 1 | 11 |
| 1996 | STL | 16 | 82 | 0.0 | 5 | 43 | 1 | 19 |
| 1997 | STL | 16 | 85 | 1.0 | 4 | 25 | 0 | 16 |
| 1998 | STL | 16 | 66 | 1.5 | 3 | 30 | 0 | 11 |
| 1999 | STL | 16 | 65 | 2.5 | 6 | 112 | 1 | 13 |
| 2000 | STL | 14 | 53 | 1.0 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 8 |
| 2001 | DET | 16 | 59 | 0.0 | 4 | 72 | 1 | 9 |
| 2002 | DET | 16 | 99 | 0.0 | 2 | 31 | 0 | 17 |
| Career | 175 | 718 | 6.0 | 37 | 462 | 4 | 126 |
Coaching Career Highlights
After his playing career, Todd Lyght started coaching in 2009. His first coaching job was at Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada. The team won state championships in 2009 and 2010 while he was there.
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.
In February 2015, Todd Lyght was hired by the University of Notre Dame to coach defensive backs. During his time as a coach at Notre Dame, the team had a strong record of 47 wins and 17 losses. In 2021, Notre Dame football faced a minor probation for some recruiting rule violations that involved Lyght.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Todd Lyght has created 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.
