Ty Law

Tajuan "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974) is a retired football cornerback of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 23rd overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan.

Law is a two-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, a Pro Bowl MVP, and has won three Super Bowl Championships with the Patriots. His 53 career interceptions rank 22nd all-time.

Early years

Law attended Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania where he played football as a cornerback, safety, wide receiver, and running back. He was named MVP of the school's basketball team. He was also a very dedicated student of jazz music. He has said many times that if he had not made it to the NFL he would have pursued a career in playing the jazz flute.

College career

Law had a three-year stint at the University of Michigan where he lettered three years in a row (1992–94), earned first-team All-American honors from Walter Camp as a senior 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.

Finished his college career with 154 Tackles [120 Solo, 34 Assist], 6 INT, and 17 PD.^[1]

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 New England Patriot had led the league in interceptions.

Law earned his first Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2001. In Super Bowl XXXVI, Law 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). Law's 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.^[2]

New York Jets

Law signed with the Jets for the 2005 season. He amassed a career-high 10 interceptions and was the only Jet voted into the Pro Bowl (Jonathan Vilma was named to the Pro Bowl as an injury 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.^[3] Law was due to make $7.6 million for 2006.^[4]

Kansas City Chiefs

On July 25, 2006, Law passed his physical with the Chiefs and signed a five-year deal worth $30 million.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] 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 Denver on February 25, 2010.

References

External links

• New England Patriots bio
• New York Jets bio