New England Patriots legend Ty Law has waited patiently for his time to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame since he first became eligible a half-decade ago. In a Q&A with The Athletic's Jeff Howe posted on Wednesday, the three-time Super Bowl champ made yet another case for his qualifications to enter Canton.
This time around, No. 24 makes a compelling comparison -- Champ Bailey, a friend and former teammate of Law's who could potentially get the Hall call this year, his first time eligible.
"One of my buddies, it was funny, because the whole Champ Bailey thing is coming up now, and they’re going to make the comparison. Of course, one slot is already gone for Tony Gonzalez. You know that’s done. Probably Ed Reed. Probably Champ Bailey. There’s the point if you put both of our stats up, everything statistical category, I’m ahead of (Bailey) — touchdowns, interceptions, Super Bowls, of course, and you’re talking about impact moments. But there’s the one thing I have that he doesn’t, and that’s the 12 Pro Bowls.
"So, what is the criteria when you talk about two guys who had similar careers? He had 52 interceptions. I had 53. I think it was 24-25 less games that I got to that number, to 50, so you talk about that, talk about longevity. But you talk about 12 Pro Bowls, and it’s like, OK, myself, Deion, no one in the history of (defensive backs) has ever gotten 12 Pro Bowls. So, does that tell the tale? Or is it the numbers? So, if it’s more tackles, more pass breakups and stuff that we do? And definitely more championships. So, what is the criteria? And I know Champ. We played together up in Denver. That’s my boy. We’re cool."
Law -- along with another Patriots legend, Richard Seymour -- was named one of 15 finalists for the Hall of Fame earlier this month. The selections for the 2019 class will be officially announced on Saturday.
Often considered one of the greatest defensive players to ever wear the Flying Elvis, and a fulcrum of the early 2000's Patriots dynasty that won three Super Bowl titles in four seasons, Law was enshrined in the Patriots Hall of Fame in 2014. Former Boston Herald columnist Ron Borges, a Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, has advocated strongly to the committee for Law's candidacy.
Click here to download the new MyTeams App by NBC Sports! Receive comprehensive coverage of your teams and stream the Celtics easily on your device.