Lawrence Taylor

Hall of Fame, NFL Linebacker

Career Highlights: Considered one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, Lawrence Taylor (often referred to as “L.T.”) played his entire 12-year career for the New York Giants…A disruptive force at outside linebacker, Taylor is considered to have changed the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, and offensive formation used in the NFL…Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999, a first ballot honoree, where his son Lawrence Taylor, Jr. gave his introduction speech…Drafted by the Giants with the second pick in the 1981 NFL Draft, Taylor won several defensive awards following his rookie season including being named the 1981 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year…He went on to produce double-digit sacks seasons consecutively from 1984 through 1990, including a career-high 20.5 sacks in 1986…Named First-Team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons (1981-1990), Taylor was a key member of the Giants’ defense which was nicknamed “The Big Blue Wrecking Crew”…The defense helped set a tone and led the Giants to two Super Bowl championships (XXI and XXV)…Taylor won a record three Defensive Player of the Year awards (1981, 1982, 1986) during his career and was named the league’s MVP for his performance in the 1986 season…Named to the Pro Bowl 10 times, Taylor was also named to the NFL 75^th Anniversary All-Time Team and the NFL 1980’s All-Decade Team…Upon retirement, he had amassed 1,088 tackles, 132.5 sacks, 9 interceptions, 134 return yards, 2 touchdowns, 33 forced fumbles, 11 fumble recoveries, and 34 fumble return yards…Taylor played college football at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he was a team captain…He had 16 sacks in his final year (1980), set numerous defensive records, and was awarded All-America and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.

Updated: May, 2008
Courtesy NBC