Ty Law ] {{{Caption}}} Date of birth February 10, 1974 Place of birth Aliquippa, Pennsylvania Date of death {{{DateOfDeath}}} Position(s) Cornerback College University of Michigan NFL Draft 1995 / Round 1, pick 23 AFL Draft ] / Round {{{AFLDraftedRound}}} Pro Bowls 1998, 1999, 2004, 2005 Awards {{{Awards}}} Honors {{{Honors}}} Retired #s {{{Retired #s}}} Records {{{Records}}} Statistics Pro Football Reference Statistics NFL.com Statistics CBS.com Statistics DatabaseFootball Statistics ESPN Statistics Sports Illustrated Team(s) 1995-2004 2005 New England Patriots New York Jets Pro Football Hall of Fame, ] Tajuan Law, best known as Ty Law, (born February 10, 1974 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania) is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent in the NFL. He began his professional career after a three year run at 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. He declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft in 1995. He was drafted 23rd overall in the first round 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 9 interceptions, the first time any New England Patriot had led the league in interceptions.
In 1999 Law was named to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
In 2001 Law was a key player in the Patriots Super Bowl win over the heavily favored St. Louis Rams. His first half 47 yard interception return for a touchdown scored the first points of the game for Patriots, who eventually won the game 20-17.
Law was voted to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year and for the fourth time in his career after the 2003 season. In 2003, Law was part of a record-shattering 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 dominant physical play against some of the game's best receivers prompted the NFL to change rules regarding contact after the 2003 season. These changes are sometimes referred to as the "Ty Law Rule." In the AFC championship game against the Indianapolis 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.
At the beginning of the 2004 season Law was considered by many to be the game's best cornerback. He was an important component of the a New England Patriots team that shattered the NFL's consecutive win record. Their remarkable run ended the same day that Law suffered a season-ending injury. The Patriots went on to win Super Bowl with a patchwork secondary, but Law received his third Super Bowl Ring for his early season contributions.
On February 25, 2005, Law was released by the cap-conscious Patriots due to his $12,551,000 cap salary. The Patriots saved $9,849,997 on the 2005 salary cap. ESPN.com reported on August 8, 2005 that Law agreed to a three year, $18 million deal with the New York Jets.
Law went on to have a great season with the Jets, amassing a career-high 10 interceptions and was the only Jet voted into the Pro Bowl (Jonathan Vilma was named to the pro bowl as well, but that was due to an injury to Miami's Zach Thomas, not by means of popular vote by the fans). Despite his great success with the Jets, Ty Law was released by the New York Jets on February 22, 2006 because he wanted out of New York and the Jets were also a projected $30 million over the salary cap for 2006. Law was due to make $7.6 million for 2006.
