Lawrence Taylor
Career information High school: Williamsburg (VA) Lafayette College: North Carolina NFL Draft: 1981 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2 Debuted in 1981 for the New York Giants Last played in 1993 for the New York Giants Career history New York Giants (1981–1993) Career highlights and awards 10× Pro Bowl (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990) 10× All-Pro (1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990) 2× Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV) AP NFL MVP (1986) PFWA NFL MVP (1986) NFL sacks leader (1986) 3× AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986) NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1986) 2× UPI NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1983, 1986) AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981) Bert Bell Award (1986) NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 1980s All-Decade Team New York Giants No. 56 retired Ranked 3rd by The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players Member of the New York Giants Ring of Honor Main eventing WrestleMania XI defeating Bam Bam Bigelow Career NFL statistics Tackles 1,088 Sacks 132.5 Interceptions 9 Stats at NFL.com Pro Football Hall of Fame Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants (1981–1993) in the National Football League (NFL). He is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football, and has been ranked as the greatest defensive player in league history by former players, coaches, media members, and news outlets such as the NFL Network, and Sporting News. After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina (UNC) (1978–1981), Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft. Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylor's contract demands, the two sides quickly resolved the issue. Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is credited with changing the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, 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 Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He was named First-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and 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, fellow linebackers Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, Pepper Johnson, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL. Taylor has lived a controversial lifestyle, during and after his playing career. He admitted to using drugs such as cocaine as early as his second year in the NFL, and was suspended several times 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 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 2011 when he pled guilty to sexual misconduct involving a 16-year old girl.