FOXBORO, Mass. — Ty Law entered the New England Patriots Hall of Fame on Friday as an appreciative man, thanking owner Robert Kraft repeatedly for “the chance to succeed.”
He didn’t write anything down prior to his speech, saying that it wasn’t how he did things. He did, however, make fans in attendance laugh throughout the night with his entertaining stories and complete candor, and even started a dance party with Patriots owner Robert Kraft as things wrapped up.
“I wanted to make it fun,” Law said after the ceremony. “It was great, it was emotional. I didn’t know what was going to come out of my mouth, but I wanted to give the people and Mr. Kraft something to remember.”
Kraft introduced Law, who became the 20th player and the 22nd person to be elected into the Patriots Hall of Fame.
He spoke of Law’s dominance over Peyton Manning, his contributions to three New England Super Bowl teams and the confidence he played with every single snap.
“Every week those receivers fought Ty Law, and the Law won,” Kraft joked. “Ty was the best, and if you don’t believe me, just ask him.”
Law then took the microphone, speaking for just over 30 minutes at the NRG Plaza outside of the team’s Hall of Fame. When he was done, he pulled out two shoe boxes with pairs of bedazzled sneakers, giving one pair to Kraft and putting on the other pair himself.
The two danced around the stage as those in attendance laughed and snapped pictures.
Many of Law’s former teammates were on hand, including Lawyer Milloy, who flew in on a red-eye flight from Seattle to attend the event. His teammates all wanted to be there for Law, who played the first 10 seasons of his career with the Patriots.
“Theres no way I could miss something like this,” said Rodney Harrison, who played with Law for two seasons. “Ty Law is a special person in my life, and I’m just thankful he wanted me here.”
“I just start seeing more and more of my old teammates come in, it was awesome,” Law said. “It really broke me down a little bit to see those guys. I haven’t seen them in years.”
Toward the end of his speech, Law thanked his financial advisor, agents, and then spoke about his family. He addressed his five children, tearing up as he thanked them for allowing him to play the game he loved for 15 years.
“When I’m dead and gone, you come here and see daddy in the Hall of Fame,” Law said.
He also thanked his mother for her support as he grew up, and talked about their cell phone conversations before every single game he played.
“Get an interception for mommy,” she used to tell him.
“That was our ‘I love you’ on game day,” Law said.
After the speech, Law said that he knew he would be a Patriot for life, and that the night’s ceremony validated that premise.
“The last time I suited up I was wearing a Denver Broncos uniform, and that didn’t sit well with me for all this time. Now I can say I’m a Patriot for life. Now I can say this is the last uniform I’m putting on,” he said while looking down at his red jacket in reverence. “It feels good.”
Law, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, finished with 53 career interceptions, 36 with New England, and 103 tackles.
Photo via Twitter/@PATRIOTSdotCOM
