Ty Law - Ty Law

Tajuan E. "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974) is a former American football cornerback who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Michigan. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. Law is a two-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a Pro Bowl MVP, and has won three Super Bowls with the Patriots. His 53 career interceptions rank 22nd all-time in NFL history. He is also widely regarded as one of the best Patriots defensive backs of all time. Law was added to the New England Patriots Hall of Fame as the 20th member.

Early years

Law attended Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania where he played football, basketball and ran track. He played in football as a cornerback, safety, wide receiver, and running back. He was named MVP of the school's basketball team.

College career

Law had a three-year stint at the University of Michigan where he lettered three years in a row (1992â€"94), earned first-team All-American honors from Walter Camp as a junior and was a two-time unanimous All-Big Ten Conference selection. Law was on the cover of the October 3rd, 1994 issue of Sports Illustrated, though it was an ignominious honor: he is the defender over whom Colorado Buffaloes receiver Michael Westbrook is leaping on the famous Miracle at Michigan play. Following his junior year, he left Michigan to enter the 1995 NFL Draft due to financial hardship after his grandfather declared bankruptcy.

He finished his college career with 154 Tackles [120 Solo, 34 Assist], 6 INT, and 17 PD.

Professional career

New England Patriots

Law was drafted 23rd overall in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots where he spent the majority of his career. In 1998 Law earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl. That year he led the league with nine interceptions, the first time any Patriot had led the league in interceptions.

Law earned his first Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2001. In Super Bowl XXXVI, he intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, the first points of the game for the Patriots, who eventually won the game 20-17.

Law was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive year and for the fourth time in his career after the 2003 season. In 2003, Law was part of a record-breaking Patriots defense that led the NFL in four key categories: opponents’ points per game (14.9), opponents’ passer rating (56.2), interceptions (29) and passing touchdowns surrendered (11). His physical play against some of the game's best receivers prompted the NFL to more strictly enforce the five-yard illegal contact rule on defensive backs after the 2003 season. In the AFC Championship Game against the Colts, Law intercepted 3 passes from Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, assisting his team to a 24-14 win and their second Super Bowl appearance in 3 years, where they defeated the Carolina Panthers 32-29.

Law earned his third Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2004, but missed the final 9 games of the season and all three of the Patriots' playoff games due to a foot injury.

On February 25, 2005 Law was released by the Patriots due to his $12,551,000 cap salary. Since then, Law has represented the Patriots in a few games as an honorary team captain. In 2014, Law was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

New York Jets

After a 9-year career with the New England Patriots, Law signed with the rival Jets for the 2005 season. He then went on to have one of his best years there, gaining a career-high 10 interceptions. Law was also the only Jet voted into the Pro Bowl (Jonathan Vilma was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury replacement to Miami's Zach Thomas, not by means of popular vote by the fans). Law was released by the New York Jets on February 22, 2006 as the Jets were a projected $26 million over the salary cap for 2006. Law was due to make $7.6 million for 2006.

Kansas City Chiefs

On July 25, 2006, Law passed his physical with the Chiefs and signed a five-year deal worth $30 million. Law reunited with coach Herman Edwards, whom Law had played under in the 2005 season hoping to strengthen the Chiefs' defense.

Second stint with Jets

On November 10, 2008, Law agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the New York Jets. Following the end of season, the Jets once again released Law on February 24, 2009.

Denver Broncos

Law signed with the Denver Broncos on November 7, 2009. This added to a defensive backfield that had 5 members over 30 years of age, with 20 Pro Bowl selections combined. His final game with the Broncos came January 3, 2010. He finished the season with 10 tackles, and 1 interception run back for 37 yards. He was released by the Broncos on February 24, 2010.

NFL stats

Key

• GP: games played
• COMB: combined tackles
• TOTAL: total tackles
• AST: assisted tackles
• SACK: sacks
• FF: forced fumbles
• FR: fumble recoveries
• FR YDS: fumble return yards
• INT: interceptions
• IR YDS: interception return yards
• AVG IR: average interception return
• LNG: longest interception return
• TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
• PD: passes defensed

Retirement

After retiring from the NFL, Law founded Launch Trampoline Park, a chain of entertainment facilities based around large areas of connected trampolines. Launch currently has franchised locations across New England, with one park open in Delaware. The website of its Rhode Island location reports that Law makes frequent appearances there, where he participates in games of trampoline dodgeball with customers.

On May 19, 2014, Law was announced as the 2014 Patriots Hall of Fame Inductee. He was inducted on August 1.

References