Ty Law

At 50 years old, Ty Law has this physical status:

Tajuan E. "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974) is a retired American football cornerback who played fifteen seasons in the National Football League (NFL).

He played college football at the University of Michigan.

In the 1995 NFL Draft, he was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall.

Law is a two-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl pick, a Pro Bowl MVP, and has played in three Super Bowls with the Patriots.

His 53 interceptions rank 24th all-time in football history; he is widely regarded as one of the top defensive backs of all time.

Law was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2019.

Early years

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

Law's uncle, Tony Dorsett, has been a member of the Hall of Fame since 2004. While Dorsett was growing up, he would spend summers in Dallas.

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College career

Law spent three years at the University of Michigan (1992–94), earning first-team All-American recognition as a freshman and a two-time unanimous All-Big Ten Conference selection. He appeared on the front page of Sports Illustrated on October 3, 1994, but it was an omenious distinction: he was 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 due to financial hardship after his grandfather declared bankruptcy.

He finished his college career with 154 tackles [120 solo, 34 assists], 6 interceptions, and 17 passes defense.

Professional career

In the first round (23rd overall) of the 1995 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Law. After Tyrone Poole of Fort Valley State, the law was the second cornerback drafted in 1995. In 2003, Poole would join Law on the Patriots.

The New England Patriots agreed to a five-year, $5.50 million contract on July 20, 1995. Law was aiming to be a starting cornerback against Maurice Hurst during training camp. Bill Parcells, the Patriots' depth chart's third cornerback, came second, behind Ricky Reynolds and Maurice Hurst.

He made his professional debut in the New England Patriots' season-opener against the Cleveland Browns, criticizing Bill Belichick. During a 30–17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4, Law got his first professional appearance and made four total tackles on October 1, 1995. Due to a back injury, he missed two games (Weeks 8–9). After the Patriots released Maurice Hurst, the Patriots began a slowdown in Week 12. Law made six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and played his first interception against the Buffalo Bills off of Jim Kelly on November 26, 1995. During a 31-28 victory over the New York Jets, he finished with a season-high eight combined tackles, broke up a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason. In three games since taking over the starting position, he made an interception. During a 10–7 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, he had a season-high eight solo tackles and made his first career cut. Jim Harbaugh, the Colts' quarterback, was suspended for a six-yard loss in the first quarter under new rules. With 47 combined tackles (440 solo), nine pass deflections, three interceptions, and one suspended in 14 games and seven starts, he had his best season in 1995 (1995).

Bill Belichick, the former Cleveland Browns head coach, was hired as the assistant head coach for the New England Patriots in 1996. Both the law and Rickey Reynolds stayed in their positions as starting cornerbacks. During a 27–9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on October 20, 1996, Law collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (ten solo) and deflected two passes. Due to an injury, the law was off for three games (Weeks 11-13). As the Patriots defeated the New York Jets 34–10 in Week 15, Law recorded one tackle, blocked a pass, and returned an intercept for his first career touchdown. During the third quarter, a law intercepted a pass by Jets' quarterback Glenn Foley, which was supposed for wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown. During a 12–6 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Law made seven solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflection, and intercepted two pass attempts by Troy Aikman. He finished the 1996 NFL season with 62 combined tackles (56 solo), nine pass interceptions, three interceptions, and one touchdown in 13 games and twelve starts.

With an 11–5 record and a first-round bye, the New England Patriots finished first in the AFC East. During a 28–3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Divisional Round on January 5, 1997, Law played in his first career playoff game and made three combined tackles. As the Patriots defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20–6 during the AFC Championship Game this week, he had four tackles the following week. During a 35–21 loss to the Green Bay Packers on January 26, 1997, Law began in Super Bowl XXI and made three total tackles.

Bill Parcells, the head coach of the New England Patriots, resigned five days after losing in Super Bowl XXI on January 31, 1997. The New England Patriots announced on February 3, 1997, that they had chosen Pete Carroll, the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator, as their new head coach.

The No. 1 was reinstated as the nation's No. 1. In 1997, there was a 1st cornerback and Jimmy Hitchcock was the first to do so. During a 26–20 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15, he registered his season-high nine solo tackles. He played in all 16 games in 1997 and made 77 total tackles (69 solo), 11 pass deflections, three interceptions, and was credited with half a sack.

The Patriots' head coach Pete Carroll made Law and Chris Canty the starting cornerbacks for the regular season. During a 29–6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in September 13, 1998, Law had two solo tackles, three pass deflections, intercepted two passes, and punched one for a touchdown, as well as returned one for a touchdown. Peyton Manning, the Colts' quarterback, was intercepted by a law intercepted a pass, which was intended for tight end Marcus Pollard, and the touchdown was returned for a 59-yard touchdown in the first quarter. During a 12–9 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins, Law collected a season-high seven solo tackles, deflected two passes, and made one interception. As the Patriots lost 41–10 against the Atlanta Falcons on November 8, 1998, Law made four combined tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted two passes by Chris Chandler. In all 16 games in 1998, there were 70 combined tackles (60 solo), 32 pass deflections, nine interceptions, and one touchdown. Law became the first member of the New England Patriots to lead the league in interceptions, and he was also elected to the 1999 Pro Bowl, his first appearance of his career.

The New England Patriots agreed to a six-year, $50 million contract extension, which includes a signing bonus of $14 million. During the Patriots' 31–30 loss to the Miami Dolphins on October 17, 1999, Law collected a season-high nine combined tackles, two pass deflections, and finished an interception by Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino for a 27-yard touchdown. Due to a broken hand, Law missed two games (Weeks 15-16). The New England Patriots suspended his hand on December 29, 1999, the New England Patriots took Law on injured reserve due to his broken hand. He finished the season with 57 combined tackles (48 solo), nine pass deflections, two fumbles, two interceptions, and one touchdown.

After finishing the season with an 8–8 record, the New England Patriots fired head coach Pete Carroll on January 3, 2000. Former New York Jets defensive coordinator Bill Belichick was named as the New England Patriots' next head coach on January 27, 2000. Law and Antonio Langham were selected as the starting cornerback tandem to start in 2000 by Belichick. During a 21–13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, he recorded a season-high nine combined tackles. While crossing the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, New York, on December 18, 2000, US Customs officials suspended the law. Officials discovered three complete ecstasy pills and four others that were partially crushed during a routine inspection. Terry Glenn and Troy Brown, both from visiting an adult nightclub in Canada, were returning from a return trip to an adult nightclub. Due to the small amount, federal prosecutors were unable to sue the Law. The drug was confiscated by US Customs and fined Law $700. Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots' head coach, announced his decision on December 20, 2000, for the final game of the season. He had 74 total tackles (58 solo), 11 pass deflections, and two interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts on the season.

Romeo Crennel has been named as the New England Patriots' next defensive coordinator. The No. 2 in the nation's highest position since being proclaimed on top of the others. Otis Smith was the first to start with a 1st cornerback.

In 2001, Law became the Patriots' first Super Bowl ring. He intercepted a Kurt Warner pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown, the Patriots' first points of the game, who then won the game 20-17.

For the second year in his career, and for the fourth time in his career, Law was elected to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career, following the 2003 season. He was part of a record-breaking Patriots defense in four key categories: opponents' points per game (14.9), interceptions (29) and passing touchdowns (11). Since the 2003 season, the NFL was more strictly enforced the five-yard illicit contact rule on defensive backs. Law intercepted three passes from Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, who led his team to a 24–14 victory and their second Super Bowl appearance in three years, defeating the Carolina Panthers 32–29 in their AFC Championship Game against the Colts.

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

The Patriots suspended Law on February 25, 2005, owing to his $12.551 million cap salary. Since then, he has been active with the Patriots in a few games as an honorary team captain. He was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2014.

The New York Jets' Law, which was unrestricted free agent, was signed on August 8, 2005. The deal has incentives that could pay Law $28 million over the first three years, as well as options that have total budgets of $500 million over seven years. He then had one of his best years in the NFL, racking a career-best ten interceptions. He was also the first Jet to vote in the Pro Bowl (Jonathan Vilma was selected to the Pro Bowl as an injury substitute for Miami's Zach Thomas, not by popular vote). The New York Jets announced the law on February 22, 2006, the Jets being a projected $26 million over the salary cap for 2006. In 2006, he was supposed to make $7.6 million.

Bill passed his physical with the Chiefs on July 25, 2006, and the Chiefs agreed to a five-year contract worth $30 million. He reunited with coach Herman Edwards, under whom Law had played in the 2005 season in the hopes of strengthening the Chiefs' defense.

On November 10, 2008, Law came to an agreement with the New York Jets on a one-year deal. Following the season's conclusion, the Jets released him on February 24, 2009.

On November 7, 2009, the Denver Broncos signed a bill. With 20 Pro Bowl picks combined, a defensive backfield that had 5 players over 30 years old had a youthful backfield. On January 3, 2010, he played his final game with the Broncos. He had 10 tackles and 1 interceptor pass for 37 yards on the season, with 10 tackles and one interception run back for 37 yards. On February 24, 2010, the Broncos announced him on February 24, 2010.

His time in Denver was short and uneventful, with only a season to go. It was his second choice, as he may have liked to play in New England but then signed with Denver. "I am a Patriot for life" even though his last season was in Denver.

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