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Lawrence Taylor

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Article Genealogy
Parent: New York Giants Hop 4
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Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
The White House · Public domain · source
NameLawrence Taylor
CaptionTaylor with the New York Giants in 1988
Number56
PositionLinebacker
Birth date4 February 1959
Birth placeWilliamsburg, Virginia
Weight lbs237
High schoolLafayette
CollegeNorth Carolina
Draftyear1981
Pastteams* New York Giants (1981–1993)
Highlights* 2× Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV) * Super Bowl MVP (XXI) * NFL MVP (1986) * 10× Pro Bowl selection (1981–1990) * 8× First-team All-Pro (1981–1989) * NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986) * NFL 1980s All-Decade Team * NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team * NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team * New York Giants Ring of Honor * Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999)

Lawrence Taylor is a former American football player who revolutionized the linebacker position during his thirteen-season career with the New York Giants of the National Football League. Universally regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in history, his ferocious pass-rushing ability and disruptive style forced fundamental changes in offensive schemes across the NFL. His accolades include a league MVP award, three Defensive Player of the Year honors, and two Super Bowl championships, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in professional sports.

Early life and college career

Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, he attended Lafayette High School where he excelled in multiple sports. He accepted a scholarship to play college football for the Tar Heels at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Under head coach Dick Crum, he developed into a dominant defensive force, earning consensus All-America honors in 1980. His collegiate performance made him a highly coveted prospect for the upcoming 1981 NFL Draft.

Professional career

Selected second overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, he made an immediate impact, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year and his first NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. He became the cornerstone of a formidable defense coordinated by Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, leading the Giants to victories in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. In the 1986 season, he achieved the rare feat for a defensive player of winning the AP NFL MVP, a testament to his singular dominance. He played his entire career with the franchise, retiring after the 1993 NFL season.

Playing style and legacy

His revolutionary approach redefined the outside linebacker role, introducing unprecedented speed and power as a pass rusher from the edge. Offenses were forced to develop specific strategies, like the left tackle position gaining premium value and the use of tight ends and running backs as dedicated blockers, to account for his threat. His intensity and game-wrecking ability set a new standard, influencing generations of defenders like Derrick Thomas and Ray Lewis. He is a member of both the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, and his number 56 jersey is retired by the New York Giants.

His post-football life has been marked by significant legal and personal challenges. He has faced multiple arrests related to substance abuse, including a 1998 plea for cocaine possession. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute. These issues were detailed in his autobiography and during his participation in reality television shows like *Dancing with the Stars*. His struggles have been a prominent part of his public narrative alongside his athletic achievements.

Awards and honors

His trophy case is among the most decorated in NFL history. Individual honors include the 1986 Most Valuable Player Award, three Defensive Player of the Year awards (1981, 1982, 1986), and the Super Bowl XXI MVP. He was selected to ten consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981 to 1990 and was a first-team All-Pro eight times. His ultimate recognition came with his first-ballot induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Category:American football linebackers Category:New York Giants players Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees