Ty Law to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Michael Seamans/Boston Herald |
After several years on the ballot, former Patriots cornerback Ty Law will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Law, who played for New England from 1995 to 2004, recorded 36 interceptions, three forced fumbles and 65 passes defended in 141 games with the team. The timing for the announcement that Law will be inducted couldn't have come at a better time, which he acknowledged last night.
Boston Herald:
“This is incredible. You couldn’t write this script (any better). It’s very special to be able to get this honor while my former team is playing,” said Law, who was emotional during the question and answer session with the media Saturday night. “And to play the team that started it off, you couldn’t have written the script better for me.”
Law had a knack for performing on the biggest stage. His most famous interception came in Super Bowl XXXVI against the then St. Louis Rams.
With pressure coming from Mike Vrabel, Rams quarterback Kurt Warner threw a ball that was intended for Isaac Bruce right to Law, who ran it back for a touchdown in the Patriots 20-17 triumph.
Law's other extremely memorable highlight was in the 2003 AFC title game against the Colts when he picked off Peyton Manning three times en route to Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers.
Law said that when he heard a knock at his Atlanta hotel door, he thought it was room service. Turns out it wasn't.
“I would be a fool not to doubt because I didn’t hear (the knock) the last few years,” Law said. “I tried to stay positive, understanding you’re one of the last 15, and there’s always a chance you’ll get that knock. And when he first knocked, I thought it might be room service . . . but then he (Baker) was there, and it seemed like everything just left my body, the emotion. And when I tried to tell myself, you ain’t gonna cry on TV, I lost that bet.”
This was Law's third time on the ballot. And while he probably didn't need any extra help getting in, he still got some in the form of a Tom Brady letter. Brady fully endorsed Law's candidacy and said that he is the player he is now because he was able to practice against him.
Joining Law in this year's class are Ed Reed, Tony Gonzalez, Champ Bailey, Johnny Robinson, Kevin Mawae, Pat Bowlen and Gil Brandt.
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