Michigan Wolverines: Ty Law Delivers Phenomenal HOF Speech

Former Michigan Wolverines great, Ty Law delivers a phenomenal, emotional speech as he’s inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Law was born in a small town called Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. His uncle is Heisman Trophy winner, and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett. During his speech Law regularly mentions going over to uncle ‘T’s’ and admiring his buss along with the Heisman Trophy hoping one day he could achieve what his uncle did. Ty Law played three stellar seasons with the Michigan Wolverines starting in all three years.

During his induction speech, Law describes going to Michigan as being a small fish in a big pond.  He mentions folks doubted him, stating ‘he’s good, but not that good.’  Law describes that as just adding fuel to the fire.  Ty mentioned he worked hard, always believing in himself as he continued to improve year after year.

At the conclusion on his Junior year, Ty decided to do something widespread now but at the time was extremely rare.  After being awarded a first-team, All-American honors, along with All-Big, Ten honors Law decided to forgo his senior at the University of Michigan to help his family out financially.

In an article published by the Detroit News, Law talks about his hometown pride;

"“I know there ain’t no crying in football,” Law joked.“We are a community built on love, strength, struggle, and that Quiptown pride,” he said. “We did it, Aliquippa. We are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”"

During his Hall of Fame speech, a tearful Law mentioned his grandfather re-mortgaged his house at one time in his life to purchase a vehicle for Ty.  At the end of Law’s Junior year, his grandfather needed to file for bankruptcy prompting Law to leave the Michigan Wolverines early.

Ty Law was drafted 23rd overall by the New England Patriots in the 1995 NFL Draft.  He spent ten seasons in New England where he won three Super Bowl Championships.  He joined the Patriots when they weren’t very good; they haven’t been bad since… In the article mentioned above, they point out that Ty Law is the first member of the New England defense that won three titles in the early ’00s to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. That seems implausible!

Law would later play with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos.  He finished his career totaling 53 interceptions. Law was a tough, hardnosed corner.  He wasn’t just a cover corner; he loved to deliver a massive hit anytime he seen an opportunity.  Not only was he locked up against the opponents best wide receiver, but he also was capable of stopping the run when he needed too.  He was a rare physical cornerback. Many corners’, especially in today’s game, would prefer to just cover guys and not tackle a running back in space.

Ty Law will always be one of the best defensive backs in Michigan Wolverines history.  He finished his college career with 154 tackles, 6 interceptions and 17 passes defended.  Now the stand-out corner is in the Professional Football Hall of Fame.