Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the New York Giants. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.[1][2][3][4][5]
After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1978–1981), Taylor was selected by the Giants second overall in the 1981 NFL draft. Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylor's contract demands, the two sides quickly resolved the issue. Taylor was named both the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1981 and the only NFL player to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is credited with changing defensive game plans, defensive pass rushing schemes, offensive line blocking schemes, and offensive formations used in the NFL. Taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career-high of 20.5 in 1986. He also won a record three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards (since tied by J. J. Watt and Aaron Donald), and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He and Alan Page (1971) are the only defensive players in league history to earn the award. Taylor was named First-team All-Pro in eight of his first ten seasons, and Second-team All-Pro in the other two. Taylor was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. During the 1980s Taylor, Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, Pepper Johnson, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson earned the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL, along with the nickname "Crunch Bunch".
Taylor has lived a controversial lifestyle, during and after his playing career. He was known for his on-game persona and at one point inadvertently caused a compound fracture of the right leg of quarterback Joe Theismann.[6] He admitted to using drugs such as cocaine as early as his second year in the NFL, and was suspended for 30 days in 1988 by the league for failing drug tests. His drug abuse escalated after his retirement, and he was jailed three times for attempted drug possession. From 1998 to 2009, Taylor claims to have lived a sober, drug-free life. He worked as a color commentator on sporting events after his retirement, and pursued a career as an actor. His personal life came under public scrutiny in 2010 when he was arrested for the statutory rape of a 16-year-old girl. After he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute, Taylor was registered as a low-risk sex offender.[7]
- ^ Mori, Dan (October 25, 2010). "NFL Power Rankings: Top 50 Greatest Defensive Players In NFL History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ Goodpaster, Mike (March 21, 2024). "The Top-20 Defensive Players in NFL History". TGT USA. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
- ^ "Top 10 defensive players ever". NFL.com.
- ^ "Top 10 defensive players ever". NFL.com. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Mori, Dan. "NFL Power Rankings: Top 50 Greatest Defensive Players In NFL History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
- ^ Taylor, Lawrence; Serby, Steve (2004). LT over the edge : tackling quarterbacks, drugs, and a world beyond football. New York: HarperTorch. ISBN 0-06-103149-6. OCLC 56520144.
- ^ "Lawrence Taylor sentenced to six years' probation". Los Angeles Times. March 22, 2011. Retrieved March 22, 2011.