Lawrence Taylor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Lawrence Taylor

Taylor in 2009
No. 56
Position:	Linebacker
Personal information
Born:	(1959-02-04) February 4, 1959 (age 66) Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	237 lb (108 kg)
Career information
High school:	Lafayette (Williamsburg, Virginia)
College:	North Carolina (1977–1980)
NFL Draft:	1981 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Career history
New York Giants (1981)
Career highlights and awards
2× Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV) NFL Most Valuable Player (1986) 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982, 1986) NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (1981) 2× UPI NFC Player of the Year (1983, 1986) 8× First-team All-Pro (1981–1986, 1988, 1989) 2× Second-team All-Pro (1987, 1990) 10× Pro Bowl (1981–1990) NFL sacks leader (1986) NFL 1980s All-Decade Team NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team Bert Bell Award (1986) PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981) New York Giants Ring of Honor New York Giants No. 56 retired 100 greatest Giants of all-time Unanimous All-American (1980) ACC Player of the Year (1980) First-team All-ACC (1980) North Carolina Tar Heels Jersey No. 98 honored
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 1,088 Sacks: 132.5 Fumble recoveries: 11 Interceptions: 9 Defensive touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame

Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), known as "L.T.", is a former American football linebacker. He played 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. Many people consider him one of the best defensive players ever.

After a great college career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Taylor was picked by the Giants as the second overall player in the 1981 NFL draft. He quickly became a star. In 1981, he was named both the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He was the only NFL player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award in his first season.

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a powerful force as an outside linebacker. He changed how teams planned their defense, how players rushed the passer, and how offensive lines blocked. From 1984 to 1990, Taylor got at least ten sacks every season. In 1986, he had a career-high of 20.5 sacks. He also won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times, a record later tied by J. J. Watt and Aaron Donald. For his amazing performance in 1986, he was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He and Alan Page (1971) are the only defensive players in NFL history to win this award.

Taylor was a key part of the Giants' defense, known as the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew". This defense helped New York win 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 made the Giants' linebackers one of the best groups in the NFL. They were even called the "Crunch Bunch".

Early Life and College Career

Taylor was born in Williamsburg, Virginia. His father worked at the Newport News shipyards, and his mother was a schoolteacher. As a child, Taylor was very active and curious. He focused on playing baseball as a catcher when he was young. He only started playing organized football in high school when he was fifteen. He wasn't heavily recruited by colleges at first.

After graduating from Lafayette High School in 1977, Taylor went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was a team captain and wore jersey number 98. He started as a defensive lineman but switched to linebacker before the 1979 season. In his final year (1980), he had 16 sacks and set many defensive records. He was named an All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1980. His coaches were amazed by his intense and fearless playing style. One coach said, "He was reckless, just reckless." The University of North Carolina later honored Taylor's jersey.

Professional Career

Joining the New York Giants

In the 1981 NFL draft, the New York Giants chose Taylor as the second overall pick. Before the draft, most NFL general managers said they would pick Taylor if they had the first choice. Giants General Manager George Young believed Taylor would be even better than famous NFL players like Dick Butkus. Young said, "Taylor is the best college linebacker I've ever seen."

The New Orleans Saints had the first pick and chose a different player, leaving Taylor for the Giants. The crowd in New York City cheered loudly when the Giants picked him. Taylor chose to wear number 56 because he admired Cowboys linebacker Thomas Henderson.

Taylor's amazing talent was clear from the very start of training camp. His teammates called him Superman because of his incredible plays. Phil Simms, the Giants' quarterback, said Taylor was "an animal" when rushing the passer. In his first exhibition game in August 1981, Taylor recorded 2 sacks. Other NFL players quickly learned about his power. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw remembered Taylor almost "killed me" in an exhibition game.

Taylor had a complex relationship with Bill Parcells, who was the Giants’ defensive coordinator and later their head coach. Parcells often pushed players hard to make them better. Taylor didn't always like this approach, once telling Parcells to "get off my back."

Early Success: 1981–1985

Taylor played his first NFL regular season game on September 6, 1981. He quickly showed his unique skills. In one game, he was supposed to drop back into coverage but instead rushed the passer and got a sack. When his coach told him it wasn't in the playbook, Taylor famously replied, "Well, we better put it in on Monday, because that play's a dandy." He recorded 9.5 sacks in 1981, and his rookie season is considered one of the best ever. He won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Taylor's arrival helped the Giants' defense greatly. They allowed far fewer points in 1981 than in 1980. The team finished 9–7 and made it to the NFL playoffs. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers, who eventually won the Super Bowl. The 49ers' coach, Bill Walsh, even used a special tactic to try and slow Taylor down.

The 1982 NFL season was shorter because of a players' strike. During a Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, Taylor made a memorable play. With the score tied, he intercepted a pass and ran it back 97 yards for a touchdown. This play showed Taylor's rare mix of power and speed. He was again named Defensive Player of the Year.

After the 1982 season, Bill Parcells became the Giants' head coach. In 1983, Taylor recorded nine sacks and was named to the All-Pro team for the third year in a row. He even made the 1983 All-Pro Team at two different linebacker positions, a first in NFL history.

In 1984, the Giants improved their record to 9–7, and Taylor had another All-Pro season. He started strong with four sacks in one September game. The Giants won their first playoff game but then lost to the 49ers.

The Giants felt hopeful going into the 1985 NFL season. They finished 10–6, and Taylor led a defense that had 68 sacks, the most in the NFL. Taylor himself had 13 sacks. One of the most famous plays of his career happened this season. During a Monday Night Football game, Taylor sacked Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann. The sack accidentally caused a serious leg injury to Theismann, ending his career. Taylor was very upset and immediately called for medics. Theismann has always said he doesn't blame Taylor for the injury. Taylor himself says he has never watched a video of the play. The Giants won their first playoff game but lost to the Chicago Bears.

Championship Years: 1986–1990

In 1986, Taylor had one of the best seasons ever for a defensive player. He led the league with 20.5 sacks. He became one of only two defensive players to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award, and the only defensive player to be the unanimous choice for MVP. He also won Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. The Giants finished the season 14–2. They dominated their playoff games, outscoring opponents by a combined score of 66–3. Taylor appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated before Super Bowl XXI, with a warning to the Denver Broncos about him. The Giants defeated Denver 39–20 in the Super Bowl. Taylor made a crucial tackle near the goal line in the first half, stopping Broncos quarterback John Elway.

Winning the Super Bowl completed an amazing start to Taylor's career. In just six years, he had won Defensive Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year three times, been named First-team All-Pro six times, and led his team to a championship.

The Giants struggled in the 1987 NFL season, finishing 6–9 in a season shortened by a strike. Taylor finished with 12 sacks in 12 games.

In 1988, Taylor led the team in sacks again, with 15.5 in 12 games. He showed his toughness in a key late-season game against the New Orleans Saints. Taylor played through a torn chest muscle, recording seven tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was in great pain, but his presence helped the Giants win 13–12. Coach Parcells called it "The greatest game I ever saw."

In 1989, Taylor had 15 sacks. He played part of the season with a fractured leg. Despite some challenges, Taylor remained popular with his teammates and was voted defensive co-captain. The Giants finished 12–4 and made the playoffs, but lost a close game to the Rams.

Before the 1990 NFL season, Taylor signed a new contract, making him the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Even though he missed training camp, Taylor had three sacks in the first game. He finished with 10.5 sacks and was chosen for his 10th Pro Bowl. The Giants started the season 10–0 and finished with a 13–3 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Bears and then faced the rival 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Taylor made a key play late in the game, helping to cause a fumble that set up the game-winning field goal. In Super Bowl XXV, they won a thrilling game against the Buffalo Bills 20-19.

Final Years: 1991–1993

After the 1990 season, coach Parcells retired. In 1991, Taylor's performance saw a decline. It was the first season he didn't make the Pro Bowl. He finished with 7 sacks in 14 games.

Taylor showed improvement in 1992, but a serious Achilles tendon injury in November sidelined him for the rest of the season. Before this, he had missed only four games due to injury in his 12-year career.

Taylor returned for the 1993 NFL season, wanting to end his career on his own terms. The Giants had a strong season, finishing 11–5. Taylor finished with 6 sacks, and the Giants' defense was one of the best in the NFL. They won their first playoff game but lost to the San Francisco 49ers in what would be Taylor's final game. As the game ended, Taylor was seen crying. He announced his retirement, saying, "I've done everything I can do. After 13 years, it's time for me to go."

Taylor ended his career with 1,089 tackles, 132.5 sacks (plus 9.5 unofficial sacks as a rookie), nine interceptions, and two touchdowns.

Legacy

Taylor on the golf course in 2007

Many experts, former players, and coaches consider Lawrence Taylor one of the greatest players in NFL history. Some even rank him as the top defensive player ever. He was known as one of the most "feared" and "intimidating" players. Taylor's incredible speed and power changed the outside linebacker position. Before him, linebackers mostly reacted to plays. Taylor made it a position of aggression and attack.

Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs even created new offensive strategies, like using two tight ends, just to try and stop Taylor from rushing into the backfield. Gibbs said, "We had to try in some way have a special game plan just for Lawrence Taylor." Taylor also influenced how offensive coaches blocked linebackers. He also introduced new defensive moves, like trying to knock the ball out of a quarterback's hands instead of just tackling them. This showed his focus on helping the team win.

Life After Football

Business Ventures

In his last year in the NFL, Taylor started a company called All-Pro Products. The company's stock value grew quickly at first. However, the company later stopped production, and Taylor lost money. He had been tricked by people from a stock firm who had manipulated the company's stock price.

Television and Entertainment

After his football career, Taylor worked in television. He was a football analyst for TNT Sunday Night Football. He also appeared as a wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation, winning a match at WrestleMania XI. He was a commentator for a fighting show called Toughman. In 1995, when Phil Simms had his jersey retired by the Giants, Simms threw an impromptu pass to Taylor, who caught it to the cheers of the crowd.

Taylor also pursued acting. He appeared in the Oliver Stone movie Any Given Sunday, playing a character similar to himself. He was in the HBO series The Sopranos and the film The Waterboy. He also had a role in the 2000 movie Shaft. Taylor lent his voice to the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and the Blitz: The League video games, which were partly based on his NFL experiences. He also acted in the 2000 Christian film Mercy Streets and the 2003 prison movie In Hell.

Hall of Fame

In 1999, Lawrence Taylor became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was voted in on the very first try, showing how highly he was regarded. His son, Lawrence Taylor Jr., gave his introduction speech at the ceremony. Taylor thanked his family and former Giants owner Wellington Mara for their support.

Autobiography and Public Appearances

In 2004, Taylor released his autobiography, LT: Over the Edge. He often talked about his intense playing style during his NFL years.

Taylor signing autographs at a collectors show in Houston in January 2014

Taylor became more visible to the public in 2006, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In the magazine, Taylor shared that his hobby of golf helped him focus on new activities. He also co-founded a company called eXfuze. He was a spokesperson for their health drink, along with other former NFL players. His son, Brandon, played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers. Taylor was also a contestant on the 8th season of Dancing with the Stars in 2009.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular season

• Unofficial statistic (sacks did not become an official statistic until 1982); however, this number is stated on Taylor's Pro Football Hall of Fame bio and is considered to be accurate.
  

† Including the 9.5 Taylor unofficially recorded as a rookie, his total is 142.

• NFL 'unofficial' record: 56 career forced fumbles

See also

• History of the New York Giants (1979–1993)