Ty Law

Tajuan Edward "Ty" Law (born February 10, 1974) is a former American football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 15 seasons, primarily with the New England Patriots.

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 the Walter Camp Football Foundation as a junior, and was a two-time unanimous All-Big Ten Conference selection.

He was on the cover of the October 3, 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.

He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines and was selected by the Patriots in the first round of the 1995 NFL draft.

During his 10 seasons in New England, he received four Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors.

A three-time Super Bowl winner with the Patriots, Law also holds the franchise record for interceptions.

Law spent his final five seasons as a member of the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos, earning a fifth Pro Bowl selection with the Jets.

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], six interceptions, and 17 passes defended.

The New England Patriots selected Law in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1995 NFL draft.

Law was the second cornerback drafted in 1995 after Fort Valley State's Tyrone Poole.

On July 20, 1995, the New England Patriots signed Law to a five-year, $5.50 million contract.

Throughout training camp, Law competed to be a starting cornerback against Maurice Hurst.

Head coach Bill Parcells named Law the third cornerback on the Patriots’ depth chart, behind Ricky Reynolds and Hurst.

He made his professional regular-season debut in the New England Patriots’ season-opener against the Cleveland Browns, ironically against Bill Belichick.

On October 1, 1995, Law earned his first career start and made four combined tackles during a 30–17 loss at the Atlanta Falcons in week 4.

He missed two games (weeks 8–9) due to an injury.

Law became a starting cornerback in week 12 after the Patriots released Maurice Hurst.

On November 26, 1995, Law made six combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills off of Jim Kelly.

In week 15, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles, broke up a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Jets’ quarterback Boomer Esiason during a 31–28 win against the New York Jets.

He made an interception in three consecutive games since taking over the starting role.

In week 17, he collected a season-high eight solo tackles and made his first career sack during a 10–7 loss at the Indianapolis Colts.

Law sacked Colts’ quarterback Jim Harbaugh for a six-yard loss during the first quarter.

He finished his rookie season in 1995 with 47 combined tackles (40 solo), nine pass deflections, three interceptions, and one sack in 14 games and seven starts.

Former Cleveland Browns head coach Bill Belichick became the assistant head coach for the New England Patriots in 1996.

Law and Rickey Reynolds retained their roles as starting cornerbacks.

On October 20, 1996, Law collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (10 solo) and deflected two passes during a 27–9 victory at the Indianapolis Colts in week 8.

Law was inactive for three games (weeks 11–13) due to an injury.

On December 8, 1996, Law recorded one tackle, deflected a pass, and returned an interception for his first career touchdown as the Patriots defeated the New York Jets 34–10 in week 15.

Law intercepted a pass by Jets’ quarterback Glenn Foley that was intended for wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown during the third quarter.

In week 16, Law made seven solo tackles, a season-high three pass deflections, and intercepted two pass attempts by Troy Aikman during a 12–6 loss at the Dallas Cowboys.

He finished the 1996 NFL season with 62 combined tackles (56 solo), nine pass deflections, three interceptions, and one touchdown in 13 games and 12 starts.

Ranking 24th in NFL career interceptions, he twice led the league in interceptions during the 1998 and 2005 seasons.

Poole later joined Law on the Patriots in 2003.

He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Law attended Aliquippa High School in Aliquippa, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where he played football and 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.

Tony Dorsett, a Hall of Fame running back, is Law's uncle.

Law spent summers in Dallas with Dorsett while he was growing up.