FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Patriots cornerback Ty Law and defensive tackle Richard Seymour have been selected to the 2004 Pro Bowl. The entire 43-man AFC all-star team will be announced on the NFL Pro Bowl Selection Show on ESPN tonight at 7:00 p.m. Starting lineups will not be announced until January 3, 2004 during halftime of one of the wildcard playoff games.
Law, 29, has been voted to the past three Pro Bowl squads and will be making the fourth appearance of his nine-year career. This year, Law is second on the team with five interceptions for 112 yards. In a game against Tennessee (10/5/03), he sealed a Patriots victory with an interception that he returned 65 yards for a touchdown after returning to the game despite an injured ankle. It was the sixth interception returned for touchdown of his career, which is a franchise record. Law currently ranks second in franchise history with 34 career interceptions, trailing Raymond Clayborn's record of 36.
Law first made the Pro Bowl in 1998 after recording a career-high and league-leading nine interceptions. He returned in 2001 after helping the Patriots to their first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Last year, he led the team in interceptions and was voted to his third Pro Bowl. With today's selection, Law becomes just the second cornerback in franchise history to be named to four or more Pro Bowls. Pro Football Hall of Famer Mike Haynes earned six Pro Bowl selections as a Patriot.
Seymour, 24, will make his second consecutive trip to Hawaii. The 6-foot-6-inch, 310-pound interior lineman earned Pro Bowl honors again after being named a starter in his first appearance last season. He currently co-leads the team with 7.5 sacks (53.5 yards) and ranks fourth on the team with 74 total tackles. He is the first Patriots interior lineman to ever be voted to the Pro Bowl and the first defensive lineman to ever make consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
Last season, six Patriots players were named to the Pro Bowl. In 2001, four players earned the honors.