Ty Law: Pro Football Hall of Fame CB now embracing business lifestyle
BOSTON (BVM) — In 1995, the New England Patriots drafted Ty Law. And for over the next decade, he would not only prove to be one of the best cornerbacks to suit up in a Patriot uniform, but he’d also prove to be one of the best cornerbacks to set foot on an NFL field.
Early life and high school career
Spending summers with his uncle Tony Dorsett, one could imagine that Law absorbed the drive to be a great football player. And those who watched Law play for Aliquippa High School could attest to that as he lined up as a cornerback, safety, wide receiver and running back.
"Everything that I am stems from Aliquippa."
The first stop on @OfficialTyLaw's road to Canton, OH? Aliquippa, PA pic.twitter.com/fd2vXfRVbX
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 2, 2019
Along with football, Law also lettered in basketball and track and field. In fact, he was voted the MVP of his school’s basketball team.
But there wasn’t any other sport like football. It drove Law to be the best. And that drive led him to commit to the University of Michigan.
Michigan Wolverines
While at Michigan, Law would become a top-tier defender for the Wolverines. From 1993-94 Law’s play would earn him two unanimous All-Big Ten Conference selections and a first-team All-American selection from the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Even with Law’s excellent play on the field, one of the most memorable plays in college football happened with him on the field. Known as the “Miracle in Michigan,” Law can be seen (No. 22) as the last defender trying to knock down a 70-yard heave from then Colorado quarterback Kordell Stewart.
Overall, it was a notable collegiate career for Law. He finished his career at Michigan with 154 total tackles (120 solo, 34 assisted) and six interceptions.
NFL Career
In the 1995 NFL Draft, the Patriots drafted Law with the No. 23 overall pick. It would take him a few years for him to get acclimated, but his impact could be felt early on as he helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl in 1997.
In the 1998 NFL season, Law showed the league what he could really do on the defensive side of the ball. He led the NFL in interceptions with nine. He also finished with 70 tackles (60 solo, 10 assisted) and All-Pro recognition and finished third in Defensive Play of the Year voting.
But the best years of Law’s career in New England were on the horizon. Following a breakout year in 1998, the Patriots made it back to the Super Bowl in 2001, and Law would play a big part in the franchise capturing its first-ever championship.
That season, Law led the NFL with two interceptions returned for a TD. But the most significant TD Law scored that season came in the second quarter of the Super Bowl.
Law continued his ways as a lockdown corner, especially in 2003 with a tremendous Patriot defense. That defense led the NFL in four major categories: opponents’ points per game (14.9), opponents’ passer rating (56.2), interceptions (29) and passing touchdowns surrendered (11).
New England went on to win Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004, becoming just the seventh NFL team to win back-to-back Super Bowls. However, during the 2004 playoff run, Law missed the final nine games and all three playoff games.
At 31 years old, Law’s contract brought a $12.5 million cap hit to New England. Because of this, the Patriots released him in Feb. 2005. However, Law would stay in the AFC East and suit up for the New York Jets. Signing a three-year contract, and with the incentives included in the contract, Law could’ve earned $28 million over those three years. He’d go on to have one of his best seasons as a cornerback, as he led the league in interceptions with 10.
Law was released again due to salary cap issues. But he found another team that was interested in him. In 2006, he signed a five-year, $30 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. For two seasons, Law started in all 32 games. However, his tenure in Kansas City was short-lived as the franchise released him at the end of the 2007-08 NFL season.
But there was still interest in Law’s talents around the league. This time the Jets came calling again. Law signed a one-year deal with the team, but he’d only played in seven games and finished with 19 total tackles.
At 35 years old, it was evident that Law’s NFL career was coming to a close. In November 2009, Law signed a one-year deal with the Denver Broncos. Again, it was mostly an uneventful stint with Denver, but he did have one final interception that he nearly returned for a TD.
Following the 2009-10 season, Law officially retired from the NFL. The Michigan product finished his 15-year NFL career with 53 interceptions in 203 games and was named to five Pro Bowls.
Net worth
According to Net Worth Post, Law is worth $28.4 million. Law also earned $60.8 million during his career, according to Over the Cap.
Post-playing career
While Law’s career may not have ended on a high note, the team that drafted him made sure to give him the ending he deserved. In 2014, Law was inducted into the Patriot’s Hall of Fame. But that wouldn’t be the only Hall of Fame he’d enter. In 2019, Law was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Ed Reed and Tony Gonzalez headline the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class
Rest of the class:
– Champ Bailey
– Pat Bowlen
– Gil Brandt
– Ty Law
– Kevin Mawae
– Johnny Robinson pic.twitter.com/RnucaTIA8x— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 2, 2019
However, with recognition from the NFL, Law has found much success off the gridiron too. In 2012 he founded Launch Trampoline Park. Getting into a business had always intrigued Law.
“I was always going to go into business, going to do something on my own when I was done [with football],” Law told Sports Illustrated. “Getting cut, all of that other stuff that happens in the game? I want to do all the hiring and firing myself.”
While Law’s days in the NFL are long gone, his legacy as a lockdown cornerback will be remembered forever. But more importantly, his role in New England winning three Super Bowls will be remembered by Patriot nation forever.
