Retired NFL cornerback Ty Law delivered his acceptance speech for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night, and while a list of thank-yous can grow old in these sorts of moments, Law had an emotional and powerful show of appreciation for his mother, Diane Law.
“You are my rock,” he said, looking at her in the audience. “We had our personal struggles. At times, we bent but we never broke. We came out on the other side. Let’s embrace the fact that we’ve overcome those things, mama, appreciate what we have today and what we’re going in the future. I know I’m a grown man, but to you, I’ll always be your little boy. And I love that. That’s OK.
“Mom, we are in the Pro Football Hal of Fame. Nobody can take that away from us. Nobody can take that away from you.”
Law wrote in The Player’s Tribute that his grandfather played a major role in raising him because his mother was 16 years old when she had him. It’s not totally clear what adversity he and his mother went through, but Law’s gratitude provided a truly touching moment.
Law, who was voted into the Hall after five years of eligibility, was a three-time NFL champion, winning Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX with the New England Patriots. He was also a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time interceptions leader in the NFL. After 10 seasons in New England, he played for the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos before retiring in 2010.
