Ty Law on HOF induction: ‘I was never afraid of the big stage’

As much as anything, it was Ty Law’s ability to rise to the occasion that allowed the former NFL cornerback to finally be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Law’s postseason performance, including his contributions to two of the New England Patriots’ six Super Bowl victories, set him apart from many others at his position and led to his being among those selected Saturday in Atlanta before Super Bowl LIII.

‘At times, being a competitor, you felt that you get passed over for Pro Bowls because you didn’t have stats’

Because teams generally avoided throwing in his direction, Law might not have had staggering career statistics aside from the six he had with the Patriots in 2003 and 10 he had with the New York Jets in ‘05. However, he more than made up for that with plays such as his interception and 47-yard touchdown return against Kurt Warner in the Patriots’ 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI. It was consistent with the mindset he carried into the game.

“As far as Patriots guys, we were winning and we sent two or three guys to the Pro Bowl and everybody else sent seven, eight, nine guys.”

“I was never afraid of the big stage as far as going out there, doing what I’ve done all my life since I was seven years old,” Law told Alex Marvez and fellow 2019 Hall of Fame class member Gil Brandt on Late Hits. “At times, being a competitor, you felt that you get passed over for Pro Bowls because you didn’t have stats and people didn’t throw at me. And I felt like I was being overlooked. … as far as the Patriot guys, we were winning and we sent two or three guys to the Pro Bowl and everybody else sent seven, eight, nine guys.

‘If you see something, don’t hesitate, you’ve got to make the play’

“So, for me, getting into those playoffs, in the biggest stage, even though I prepared as I always do, I always put extra emphasis on that. If you see something, don’t hesitate, you’ve got to make the play. I love that stage and lot of guys, to be honest with you, they get a little nervous in those type of games. I used to relish the challenge to go out there and let everybody see what I was capable of, because I put so much time and effort into it.”

Law, who played with the Patriots from 1995 to 2004 and also had stints with the Jets (’05 and ’08), Kansas City Chiefs (’06-’07), and Denver Broncos (’09), continues to take enormous pride in his postseason play.

‘I did take those games seriously and I wanted that opportunity for the big stage’

“I can say that I did look forward to it, put a little extra emphasis on it and let the chips fall where they may,” he said. “If that’s the reason why that got me over the edge, I’m happy for that because I did take those games seriously and I wanted that opportunity for the big stage.”