It's now common knowledge that former Patriots tackle Matt Light suffered from Crohn's disease throughout his career.
But Light conceded one fact Monday that few knew: in those 11 years, he underwent 14 surgeries.
"You know, I would put it at 'doable.' I get up in the morning, I generally feel fairly well," he told ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd. "I get my vitamins, go through my little routine, and I would say from a day-to-day basis I'm doing really well.
"That saidI've spent over a month in a hospital straight. I've been through the worst of the worst, and I'm sure I could probably get into greater detail. But at the end of the day, I'm thankful for my time in. I knew the risks and the things associated with the game of football, and I've gotten to a point in my life where I was like, 'You know what, be happy, don't try to bite off more than you can chew, and look forward to the next great challenge.'"
Talk of his health eventually turned Light toward concussions. Discussion about head injuries in the NFL has ramped up in the wake of Junior Seau's suicide; few interviews with eyes for retrospect have ignored the issue since.
Light could not, or chose not, to give a concussion tally to his career. But he did describe two he received from former defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen that were unforgettable.
"I'm not sure what it is with guys from the Islands, that background, but these guys can hit you with a thunderous clap that will literally leave you star-crossed and teary-eyed. It's unbelievable," he said. "I'm not a guy that suffered a lot of those, or at least I haven't been aware of them, but those were two that I had."