Ty Law Players' Tribune Letter
Ty Law penned a "Letter to My Younger Self" on The Players' Tribune. He goes in to some insight on his time at Michigan and playing with Brady in New England. Includes some crazy stories about his upbringing that I never know.
https://www.theplayerstribune.com/en-us/articles/ty-law-patriots-letter-to-my-younger-self
Haven't seen this posted on here yet, but apologies if it has already.
January 18th, 2019 at 12:30 PM ^
Thanks for sharing, OP. That is a bad-ass read.
Love the 1st paragraph describing Tom Brady after his Patriots made that legendary late round pick of Brady:
"Number 12 — a skinny little pretty-boy named Tom. He’s the backup quarterback. You’ll know about him because he’s a Michigan guy, like you. You’ll actually sell him your house when the Patriots draft him. You’ll even give a discount to your fellow Wolverine. You gotta pass on the wealth and take care of the young bucks, you know?"
Ty Law was one hell of a football player, college and pro. One of the all time best at his position at Michigan. And sounds like he earned everything he got...
January 18th, 2019 at 12:36 PM ^
That was awesome, thanks for posting
January 18th, 2019 at 12:38 PM ^
The section about his time in AA certainly explains why he hasn't been back and could care less about Michigan.
January 18th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
I read that completely different than you did. He even states that maybe the coaches just wanted him to stay. Sounds like he knows now that he is older that they were trying to keep him.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:21 PM ^
Possibly. I've just read and heard from others that Ty was not happy with how things shook out during his time at Michigan. However, I do understand his perspective regarding the coaches and the need for money due to his home situation.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
He could care less about Michigan? How much less could he care?
January 18th, 2019 at 7:31 PM ^
I remember a few years out of college and he was playing in the pros they would do the monday night football introductions. He would introduce himself and say he represented whatever high school he went to rather than Michigan.
January 19th, 2019 at 9:26 AM ^
If you read the letter it explained why. And after that explanation I have no problem with it.
January 18th, 2019 at 3:28 PM ^
I don't interpret it that way at all. He's just describing a conflict that probably happens a lot of times across the country, where coaches challenge a guy to stay when he feels he's ready to leave.
Note that shortly after this in the story he refers to himself as "a Michigan guy" and calls Brady as "a fellow Wolverine."
January 18th, 2019 at 3:35 PM ^
That's not how I read it. His conflicted relationship with Michigan is well-known, but I think the letter puts it in the context of his mindset and the factors that helped shape his personality and his character.
January 18th, 2019 at 12:45 PM ^
One night, after your high-school team loses a game it should have won, you’ll be walking home from the stadium and you’ll see your friend’s grandmother sitting on her front porch — a sweet old lady … one of those old-school, heart-of-gold grandmas. You’ll smile, wave and say hello, addressing her as ma’am, just like Pap taught you.
And she’ll be like, “What in the hell’s wrong wit y’all boys losing a game like that! G’on and get yourself home, boy. Get outta here!”
What do you even say to that?
The answer is … nothing. You just do as she says and get your ass home.
My high school football coach was originally from Western PA. He used tell stories about players having to sneak home after a loss because people in his town would cuss out or throw rocks at them for losing. I always assumed he was just drunk and exaggerating. Now, I know he was drunk and telling the truth.
January 18th, 2019 at 2:23 PM ^
And what follows is also priceless: "But that’s good. It’s gonna prepare you for the next level, and eventually, the highest level. Because when coaches start using four-letter words and fans are throwing things at you, you’ll be like, Man, y’all ain’t got nothin’ on the grandmas back in Aliquippa!"
Remembered thinking of him as part of the All-Name Patriots Backfield (Ty Law & Lawyer Milloy), so much so that I started thinking Milloy went to Michigan (he didn't). In checking my facts found this little tidbit: Ty Law's first NFL sack, in game 17 of his rookie season for the Pats, was of the Colts QB, one Jim Harbaugh. (The Colts won 10-7.)
January 18th, 2019 at 12:46 PM ^
It was a good piece.
Thought for sure he would bring up “the play” that shall not be mentioned.
January 18th, 2019 at 12:54 PM ^
Powerful
January 18th, 2019 at 12:49 PM ^
Great read, thanks for posting.
January 18th, 2019 at 12:53 PM ^
How he doesn’t get more HOF run is inexplicable to me ...at one point he was compared and contrasted to Deion sanders as to who the best CB in the league was, with Deion getting the nod for flash and pure coverage skills and Law getting lauded for his more “complete” skill set. He is probably the most responsible for the shutdown of the greatest show on turf after popping Isaac Bruce and Tory Holt that team caved. He was so effective at press man bump and run that Bill Polian GM of the colts and chairperson of the NFL competition committee lobbied to change those rule, in an effort to let Peyton Manning and his finesse built colts win in the playoffs. These changes are the root of how the league became basketball on turf as it is nowadays. I could argue the changes had just as big an impact as those made due to Lawrence Taylor’s dominance in the early 90’s and that sounds HOF to me. While Mr. Woodson is my favorite Michigan player of all time Ty is a close second screw Kordell and Westbrook it was a fluke.
January 18th, 2019 at 6:08 PM ^
Ty Law is a HOFer. Might take a few more years, but he’ll get in.
January 18th, 2019 at 6:56 PM ^
I believe so too, just seems some media types don’t give him his due and proper...a lot of the players on those early aughts Patriot teams where seen as a product of the system and overachievers. I think that perception unfairly hurts him in the HOF discussion. Would have been cool to see him and Tom go in together but 12 keeps ticking like a Swiss watch.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:01 PM ^
There's a good book about the town where Ty Law grew up. SI a couple years back had an excerpt from it (featuring some harrowing stuff about Law). Showed how important (for better or worse) youth and high school football is to some towns, particularly towns whose best days are behind them.
https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/09/30/playing-through-the-whistle-sl-price-book-aliquippa-high-school-football
January 18th, 2019 at 1:18 PM ^
Same hometown as Darrelle Revis
January 18th, 2019 at 1:05 PM ^
Inspirational read.
iirc, Law held Galloway to one catch in two games against OSU. Something about not wanting to see Galloway’s smile on TV.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:07 PM ^
Tell me
How GOOD do those Maize pants look on Ty Law.?
January 18th, 2019 at 2:32 PM ^
Came to post the same thing. Bring back the maize pants.
January 18th, 2019 at 2:45 PM ^
The all-whites were cool when we first went to them but the coolness has faded. Bring back the maize pants.
January 18th, 2019 at 11:57 PM ^
Helluva lot better than those shitty white ones Harbaugh makes them wear
January 18th, 2019 at 1:14 PM ^
Couldn't have carried less about NE until Law and then Brady became players there. Alan Branch had a monster season for them during their last Super Bowl win. Hope Tom gets it done again this weekend. The young buck needs to wait a few more years before he gets his turn.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:23 PM ^
"And then when the OC turtles vs. Colorado, Kordell will give it a final heave-ho. You will audition for a spot on the volleyball team and it'll send Coach Mo to the Excalibur."
January 18th, 2019 at 1:28 PM ^
Someone e-mail Harbaugh those pictures of the maize pants.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:37 PM ^
I live in western, Pa and coached in a game against Aliquippa a while back. It was quite an experience.
I know back in the early 90s when my dad coached against them, he told me they would throw rocks and dog shit at their bus as they were pulling in. It was wild.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:32 PM ^
Thanks for posting, great article
January 18th, 2019 at 1:33 PM ^
I laugh at the idea of Ty Damn Law-- a man who terrorized me as a Colts fan-- not being "Michigan" good. The coaches telling him he's *maybe* a third rounder kinda makes me mad-- dude was good.
January 18th, 2019 at 1:40 PM ^
Next time you think about slamming a kid about sitting out of the bowl game or leaving early for the draft. They probably have more riding on it than you.
_______________________
On one of those trips home, you’ll be in the kitchen and you’ll notice a letter from the bank sitting on the counter.
That $5,000 Pap used to buy you the LeBaron? He took out a loan for it. He put his house up as collateral, and he fell behind on payments. He had to file bankruptcy.
Now, he’s in danger of losing the house.
January 18th, 2019 at 2:58 PM ^
Pick Six in SB. Picking off Peyton 3x in AFC Championship game. So enjoyed watching him play at Michigan and with the Pats. Nothing more exciting than Ty Law returning a pick, was always looking to get into the end zone.
January 18th, 2019 at 3:08 PM ^
Damn good read. Damn good player. Better man.
January 18th, 2019 at 3:09 PM ^
Happy for Law that he had such a good career and turned his life around. However, reading this made it seem like he's a bit of a prima dona (and not much of a team player) - and was much worse during his playing days. I do not know him personally, but remember watching him while at UM - sad to think that his college days seemed to mean so little to him (atat least from this article).
January 18th, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
Thanks for posting. A great read.
January 18th, 2019 at 4:05 PM ^
That was awesome to read.
Thanks for posting.
January 18th, 2019 at 4:19 PM ^
I regret that I am unable to upvote the op. Since there's so much complaining about poor posting on the board, I'll throw out an: Excellent post, Billy Seamonster :) for good measure.
January 18th, 2019 at 5:44 PM ^
Jeez. Fucking awesome.
January 18th, 2019 at 6:55 PM ^
If I'm his editor I remove every third 'bro,' but otherwise I love it.
January 18th, 2019 at 9:16 PM ^
Great read. Ty is an M legend. Good on ya sir, good on ya.
January 19th, 2019 at 11:44 AM ^
loved it.
it gives some perspective on some of the guys that leave early.
As a a dad I wish I’d met Pap to get some pointers. What a legacy.