Lawrence Taylor

Taylor was the first of three sons born to Clarence and Iris Taylor in Williamsburg, Virginia. His father worked as a dispatcher at the Newport News shipyards, while his mother was a schoolteacher.Harris, Nolte, and Kirsch. pg.449 Referred to as Lonnie by his family, Taylor was a mischievous youth. His mother said that "[h]e was a challenging child. Where the other two boys would ask for permission to do stuff, Lonnie ... would just do it, and when you found out about it, he would give you a big story."Taylor and Serby. pg. 5 Taylor concentrated on baseball as a youth, playing catcher,Taylor and Falkner. pg.7 and only began playing football at the advanced age of fifteen. He did not play organized high school football until the following year (eleventh grade),[https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9002947/Lawrence-Taylor Lawrence Taylor], britannica.com, accessed March 29, 2007. and was not heavily recruited coming out of high school.Taylor and Serby. pg. 17

After graduating from Lafayette High School in 1977,Shampoe. pg. 65 Taylor attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he was a team captain,[http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/alltimelettermen.pdf North Carolina Football All-Time Letterman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031741/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/unc/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/alltimelettermen.pdf |date=December 16, 2018 }} (PDF), cstv.com, accessed February 26, 2007. and wore No. 98. Originally recruited as a defensive lineman, Taylor switched to linebacker before the 1979 season.Powell. pg. 80 In his senior season in 1980, he set multiple team records, including a still-standing mark of 16 sacks in a single season.Whitley, David. [https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Taylor_Lawrence.html L.T. was reckless, magnificent], espn.com, accessed January 29, 2007. That same year, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, one of four defensive players to ever win the award.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-22 |title=The all-time All-ACC college football team |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27421493/the-all-all-acc-college-football-team |access-date=2025-04-25 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} The coaching staff marveled at his intense, reckless style of play. "As a freshman playing on special teams, he'd jump a good six or seven feet in the air to block a punt, then land on the back of his neck", said North Carolina assistant coach Bobby Cale. "He was reckless, just reckless." UNC later retired Taylor's jersey.Knight Ridder. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/comsite5/bin/pdinventory.pl?pdlanding=1&referid=2930&purchase_type=ITM&item_id=0286-6014906 Peppers is drawing comparisons to Taylor.], April 16, 2002, available online via accessmylibrary.com, accessed February 17, 2007.{{dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=July 2017}}
*{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080125113831/http://archive.profootballweekly.com/content/archives2001/draft_2001/combine_qanda_peppers.asp Q & A with North Carolina DE Julius Peppers]}}, Pro Football Weekly, March 20, 2002, accessed February 17, 2007.{{failed verification|date=July 2017}}

In the 1981 NFL draft, Taylor was selected by the New York Giants in the first round as the 2nd pick overall.{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1981/draft.htm |title=1981 NFL Draft Listing |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019}} In a poll of NFL general managers (GMs) taken before the draft 26 of the league's 28 GMs said if they had the first selection they would select Taylor.Sansevere, Bob. [http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-5505815_ITM Giants' L.T.: His mean streaks revolutionized NFL, made him the best.], Knight Ridder, January 8, 1994, available at accessmylibrary.com, accessed February 17, 2007. One of the two GMs who said they would not take Taylor was Bum Phillips, who had just been hired as coach and general manager by the New Orleans Saints. As fate would have it for Taylor, the Saints were also the team who had the first pick in the draft. Giants GM George Young predicted before the draft that he would be better than NFL legends such as Dick Butkus: "Taylor is the best college linebacker I've ever seen. Sure, I saw Dick Butkus play. There's no doubt in my mind about Taylor. He's bigger and stronger than Butkus was. On the blitz, he's devastating."

On draft day, Phillips made good on his promise not to draft Taylor and the Saints instead selected Heisman Trophy-winning halfback George Rogers with the first pick, leaving the Giants with the decision of whether to select Taylor. To the raucous approval of the crowd in attendance at the draft (which was held in New York City), the Giants selected him.Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/29/sports/by-sports-of-the-times-nfl-s-dangerous-trend.html By Sports of The Times; N.F.L.'s Dangerous Trend], The New York Times, April 19, 1981, accessed February 17, 2007. Privately, Taylor was hesitant about playing for New York as he had hoped to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, and was unimpressed with a tour of Giants Stadium he was taken on, after the draft.Pervin. pg. 98 Publicly, however, he expressed excitement about the opportunity to play in the city.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/29/sports/giants-pick-taylor-jets-choose-runners.html Giants pick Taylor; Jets pick runners], The New York Times, April 29, 1981, accessed February 17, 2007. Taylor changed his stance after he was drafted as Harry Carson made a point to reach out to him, and Taylor said he "talked to some players and coaches" and "got things straightened out." One of the factors that the Giants said they considered in selecting Taylor was his solid reputation. "He was the cleanest player in the draft. By that I mean there was no rap on him", said head coach Ray Perkins. "Great potential as a linebacker, a fine young man, free of injuries."Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/09/07/sports/yellow-flag-for-a-no-1.html Yellow Flag For a No. 1], The New York Times, September 7, 1981, accessed June 17, 2020. Taylor chose to wear number 56 because he was a fan of Cowboys linebacker Thomas Henderson.Harvey, Randy. [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-28-sp-13389-story.html It's Real Hollywood Ending for Transformed Henderson], Los Angeles Times, March 28, 2000, accessed June 17, 2020. As it would turn out, Taylor would have a longer and more successful career than Rogers, who had several 1,000-yard rushing seasons and made two Pro Bowl teams but was injury-prone and forced to retire after just seven seasons in 1987.

Taylor's talent was evident from the start of training camp. Reports came out of the Giants training compound of the exploits of the new phenom.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/07/sports/linebacker-s-debut-is-eagerly-awaited.html Linebacker's debut is eagerly anticipated], The New York Times, August 7, 1981, accessed June 17, 2020. Taylor's teammates took to calling him Superman and joked that his locker should be replaced with a phone booth. Phil Simms, the team's quarterback, said, "on the pass rush, he's an animal. He's either going to run around you or over you. With his quickness, he's full speed after two steps." Taylor made his NFL exhibition debut on August 8, 1981, recording 2 sacks in the Giants' 23–7 win over the Chicago Bears.Frank Litsky, [https://www.nytimes.com/1981/08/09/sports/giants-sets-back-bears-23-7.html Giants sets (sic) back Bears, 23-7], The New York Times, August 9, 1981, accessed June 17, 2020. Before the season word spread around the league about Taylor.Danyluk. pg. 297 Years after facing him in an exhibition game, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw recalled, "[h]e dang-near killed me, I just kept saying, 'Who is this guy?' He kept coming from my blind side and just ripped my ribs to pieces."Associated Press. [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/29/lawrence_taylor/ The Michael Jordan of Football] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206162220/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/29/lawrence_taylor/ |date=December 6, 2008 }}, Sports Illustrated, January 30, 1999, accessed February 17, 2007.

Taylor developed what has been described as a "love-hate relationship" with Bill Parcells, the Giants’ defensive coordinator when he was drafted and later their head coach.Pervin. pg. 99 Parcells often rode players in the hopes of driving them to better performance. Taylor did not appreciate this approach, and early on told Parcells, "I've had enough. You either cut me or trade me but get the fuck off my back."Taylor and Serby. pg. 34 Parcells kept on Taylor, but privately told some veterans, "I like that LT. That motherfucker's got a mean streak."

Taylor made his NFL regular season debut on September 6, 1981, in a 24–10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Aside from incurring a penalty for a late hit on Eagles running back Perry Harrington, Taylor played a nondescript game. In a game versus the St. Louis Cardinals later in the season, Taylor rushed and sacked the passer when he was supposed to drop into coverage. When told by Parcells that was not what he was assigned to do on that play, and that what he did was not in the playbook, Taylor responded "Well, we better put it in on Monday, because that play's a dandy."Taylor and Serby. pg. 41 He recorded 9.5 sacks in 1981,[http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=212 Lawrence Taylor bio], profootballhof.com, accessed February 2, 2007. and his rookie season is considered one of the best in NFL history.Merron, Jeff. [https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/nflrookies.html LT best NFL rookie of all time], espn.com, accessed June 17, 2020.April 19, 2007 [https://www.si.com/nfl/2007/04/19/19-0top-15-impact-rookies-of-last-30-years Top 15 Rookie Impacts of the 30 years #1], Sports Illustrated, accessed June 17, 2020. He was named 1981's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Taylor's arrival helped the Giants defense reduce their points allowed from 425 points in 1980 to 257 in 1981. They finished the season 9–7, up five games from the previous season, and advanced to the NFL divisional playoffs, where they lost 38–24 to the eventual Super Bowl champion San Francisco 49ers.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110515034640/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?yr=1981&tm=NYG&lg=NFL 1981 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 17, 2007. The San Francisco win was due partly to a new tactic 49ers coach Bill Walsh used to slow Taylor. Walsh assigned guard John Ayers, the team's best blocker, to block Taylor and, although Taylor still recorded a sack and three tackles, he was not as effective as normal.Johnson, Roy S. [https://www.nytimes.com/1982/01/04/sports/49er-coach-s-tactic-helps-nullify-taylor.html 49ers Coach's tactic helps nullify Taylor], The New York Times, January 4, 1982, accessed June 17, 2020. In contrast to his on-field success Taylor was already developing a reputation for recklessness off the field; after nearly getting killed during the season when his speeding resulted in a car crash, Young told the team's trainer he would be surprised if the linebacker lived past the age of 30, and the Giants insured Taylor's life for $2 million.

The 1982 NFL season, which was shortened to nine regular season games by a players strike, included one of the more memorable plays of Taylor's career. In the nationally televised Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions, the teams were tied 6–6 early in the fourth quarter, when the Lions drove deep into New York territory. Lions quarterback Gary Danielson dropped back to pass and threw the ball out to his left toward the sidelines. Taylor ran in front of the intended receiver, intercepted the pass, and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.Rappoport, Ken [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cK9QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-M8MAAAAIBAJ&pg=5769,2441965&dq=thanksgiving+lions+lawrence-taylor&hl=en Last word on Young's comments], Associated Press. reprinted in Portsmouth Daily Times, November 26, 1982, accessed November 17, 2010. This play was indicative of Taylor's unusual combination, even for a linebacker, of power with speed. He was again named Defensive Player of the Year.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060501105834/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=TayloLaw01 Lawrence Taylor]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 20, 2007.

After the 1982 season, Perkins became head coach of the University of Alabama and the Giants hired Parcells to replace him. In the coming years this change proved crucial to the Giants and Taylor. Leading up to the 1983 season, Taylor engaged in a training camp holdout that lasted three weeks and ended when he came back to the team under his old contract with three games left in the preseason.Janofsky, Michael. [https://www.nytimes.com/1983/08/13/sports/taylor-ends-holdout.html Taylor Ends Holdout], The New York Times, August 13, 1983, accessed June 17, 2020.

Although Taylor recorded nine sacks and made the All-Pro team for the third consecutive season in 1983, the Giants struggled. The team went 3–12–1,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070208160309/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=NFL&yr=1983 1983 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 20, 2007. and Parcells received heavy criticism from fans and the media. Taylor was forced to play inside linebacker for part of the season, a position which allowed him fewer pass rushing opportunities, when Carson was injured.Ziegel. pg. 82 Despite this change, Taylor made the 1983 All-Pro Team at both outside linebacker and inside linebacker, becoming the first first-team All-Pro in NFL History selected for two positions in the same year. Frustrated by the losing, Taylor began acting out by arriving late for meetings, and not participating in conditioning drills in practice.Pervin. pg. 101 After the season, Taylor was involved in a fight for his services between the Giants and the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League.Eskenazi, Gerald. [https://www.nytimes.com/1984/01/18/sports/taylor-buys-out-generals-pact.html Taylor buys out Generals' pact], The New York Times, January 18, 1984, accessed June 17, 2020. Taylor was given a $1 million interest-free, 25-year loan by Generals owner Donald Trump on December 14, 1983, with the provision that he begin playing in the USFL in 1988. Taylor regretted the decision, and less than a month later attempted to renege. His agent was able to negotiate by meeting with Trump personally and then the Giants which resulted in allowing Taylor to go with the Giants. Taylor got a 6-year, $6.55 million package that also included a $1 million interest-free loan. The main results of these negotiations were threefold: 1) Taylor returned the $1 million to Trump, 2) the Giants paid Trump $750,000 over the next five seasons, and 3) the Giants gave Taylor a new six-year, $6.2 million contract.Eskenazi, Gerald. pg. 46. — Trump later stated that in the event of the USFL folding (which occurred in 1985), he would have held on to Taylor's rights to employment: "I'd put him in a doorman's uniform and have him work at one of my buildings." (ibid)

The Giants' record rebounded to 9–7 in 1984,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070409000312/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1984 1984 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 20, 2007. and Taylor had his fourth All-Pro season. He got off to a quick start, recording four sacks in a September game. In the playoffs the Giants defeated the Los Angeles Rams 16–13, but lost 21–10 to the eventual champion 49ers.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070409000312/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1984 1984 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007.

In contrast to the previous season the Giants headed into the 1985 season with a sense of optimism after their successful 1984 campaign and a 5–0 pre-season record.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/31/sports/giants-end-summer-5-0-mowatt-injured.html Giants end Summer 5-0 Mowatt injured], The New York Times, August 31, 1985, accessed June 17, 2020. The Giants went 10–6, and Taylor spearheaded a defense that led the NFL in sacks with 68.Neft, Cohen, and Korch. pg. 807 Taylor had 13. One of the more memorable plays of his career occurred during this season. On a Monday Night Football game against the Redskins, Taylor's sack of Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann inadvertently resulted in a compound fracture of Theismann's right leg.{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18074038 |title=LT remembers Theismann's brutal injury: 'I've seen a lot worse hits' |date=November 18, 2016 |website=ESPN |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019}} After the sack, a distraught Taylor screamed for paramedics to attend to Theismann. Although this sack ended Theismann's career, Theismann has never blamed Taylor for the injury. Taylor says he has never seen video of the play and never wants to.{{cite web |title=LT remembers Theismann's brutal injury: 'I've seen a lot worse hits' |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18074038/lawrence-taylor-remembers-joe-theismann-injury-seen-lot-worse-hits-nfl |website=ESPN |access-date=May 13, 2021 |language=en |date=November 18, 2016}} During the first round of the playoffs, the Giants defeated the defending champion 49ers 17–3, but lost to the eventual champion Chicago Bears in the second round 21–0.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070408083544/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1985 1985 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007.

In 1986, Taylor had one of the most successful seasons by a defensive player in the history of the NFL. He recorded a league-leading 20.5 sacks and became one of just two defensive players to win the NFL Most Valuable Player award and the only defensive player to be the unanimous selection for MVP.Charles, Nick. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071225053451/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/08/06/pageone_lawrencetaylor/index.html Taylor made: 'L.T.' has a date with Canton, destiny]}}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, August 12, 1999, accessed January 29, 2007. Note: Taylor is still the only defensive player to win the award unanimously, as of 2010 he is the last defensive player to win it.[http://www.infoplease.com/ipsa/A0109692.html Lawrence Taylor], infoplease.com, accessed March 23, 2007.Sprechman and Shannon. pg. 13 He also was named Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. The Giants finished the season 14–2 and outscored San Francisco and Washington by a combined score of 66–3 in the NFC playoffs.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070208114300/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=NFL&yr=1986 1986 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 22, 2007. He appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated alone the week leading up to Super Bowl XXI with a warning from the magazine to the Denver Broncos regarding Taylor.Sports Illustrated. [https://vault.si.com/vault/1987/01/26/702365 Volume 66 Issue 4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070612062459/http://dynamic.si.cnn.com/si_online/covers/issues/1987/0126.html |date=June 12, 2007 }}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, January 26, 1987, accessed December 7, 2021. The Giants overcame a slow start in Super Bowl XXI to defeat Denver 39–20. Taylor made a key touchdown preventing tackle on a goal line play in the first half, stopping Broncos quarterback John Elway as he sprinted out on a rollout.

With the Super Bowl win, Taylor capped off an unprecedented start to his career. After six years, he had been named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award (1981), NFL Defensive Player of the Year a record three times (1981, 1982, 1986), First-team All-Pro six times, become the first defensive player in NFL history unanimously voted the league's MVP (1986), and led his team to a championship (1986). After the win, however, Taylor felt let down rather than elated. Taylor said:Taylor and Serby. pg. 105

{{blockquote|text=When the Super Bowl was over {{omission}} Everyone was so excited, but by then I felt deflated. I'd won every award, had my best season, finally won the Super Bowl. I was on top of the world right? So what could be next? Nothing. The thrill is the chase to get to the top. Every day the excitement builds and builds and builds, and then when you're finally there and the game is over {{omission}}

And then, nothing.}}

The Giants appeared to have a bright future coming off their 1986 championship season as they were one of the younger teams in the league. They struggled the next season however, falling to 6–9 in the strike-shortened 1987 season.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410074513/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1987 1987 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. Taylor caused strife in the locker room when he broke the picket line after early struggles by the team. He explained his decision by saying "The Giants are losing. And I'm losing $60,000 a week."Araton, Harvey. [https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/11/sports/sports-of-the-times-lt-s-rush-helped-sack-phil-simms.html?scp=11&sq=Phil%20Simms&st=cse Sports of The Times; L.T.'s Rush Helped Sack Phil Simms], The New York Times, October 11, 1994, accessed November 2, 2010. He finished the season as the team leader in sacks with 12 in 12 games played, but missed a game due to a hamstring injury, ending his consecutive games played streak at 106.Pervin. pgs. 102–3

The Giants looked to rebound to their championship ways in 1988 but the start of the season was marred by controversy surrounding Taylor. He tested positive for cocaine and was suspended by the league for thirty days, as it was his second violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. The first result in 1987 had been kept private and was not known to the public at the time. He was kept away from the press during this period and checked himself into rehab in early September.Harvin, Al. [https://www.nytimes.com/1988/09/03/sports/nfl-taylor-entering-rehabilitation.html N.F.L.; Taylor Entering Rehabilitation], The New York Times, September 3, 1988, accessed December 7, 2021. Taylor's over-the-edge lifestyle was becoming an increasing concern for fans and team officials. This was especially true given the eventual career paths of talented players like Hollywood Henderson and others whose drug problems derailed their careers. The Giants went 2–2 in the games Taylor missed. When Taylor returned he was his usual dominant self as he led the team in sacks again, with 15.5 in 12 games played.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070208212622/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=NFL&yr=1988 1988 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. The season also contained some of the more memorable moments of Taylor's career. In a crucial late-season game with playoff implications against the New Orleans Saints, Taylor played through a torn pectoral muscle to record seven tackles, three sacks, and two forced fumbles.Schwartz, Larry.[https://www.espn.com/classic/s/taylorlawrenceadd.html Taylor redefined the outside linebacker position], espn.com, November 19, 2003, accessed February 21, 2007. Taylor's presence in the lineup was important as the Giants' offense was having trouble mounting drives, and was dominated in time of possession.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071223011502/http://www.databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=27&mth=11&yr=1988&tm=NOR&lg=NFL Box score No vs. NYG 11/27/1988]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 21, 2007. Television cameras repeatedly cut to the sidelines to show him in extreme physical pain as he was being attended to by the Giants staff. Taylor had already developed a reputation for playing through pain; in a 1983 game against the Eagles the team's training staff had to hide his helmet to prevent the injured Taylor from returning to the field.Russo & Allen. pg. 135 Taylor's shoulder was so injured that he had to wear a harness to keep it in its place. The Giants held on for a 13–12 win, and Parcells later called Taylor's performance "[t]he greatest game I ever saw."Gutman. pg. 132 However, the Giants narrowly missed the playoffs in 1988 at 10–6 by losing tie-breakers with the Eagles in their division and the Rams for the Wild card.

In 1989, Taylor recorded 15 sacks. He was forced to play the latter portion of the season with a fractured tibia, suffered in a 34–24 loss to the 49ers in week 12, which caused him to sit out the second half of several games.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/02/sports/taylor-s-ankle-is-broken-but-he-feels-better.html Taylor's Ankle Is Broken, but He Feels Better], The New York Times, December 2, 1989, accessed December 7, 2021.
* Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/03/sports/sports-of-the-times-will-l-t-try-to-play-on-a-broken-ankle.html SPORTS OF THE TIMES; Will L. T. Try to Play on a Broken Ankle?], The New York Times, December 3, 1989, accessed December 7, 2021.
*Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/04/sports/despite-fracture-taylor-plays.html Despite Fracture, Taylor Plays], The New York Times, December 4, 1989, accessed December 7, 2021.
*Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/04/sports/sports-of-the-times-aggravating-is-kind-word.html SPORTS OF THE TIMES; Aggravating Is Kind Word], The New York Times, December 4, 1989, accessed December 7, 2021. Despite his off-the-field problems, Taylor remained popular among his teammates and was voted defensive co-captain along with Carl Banks.The New York Times. [https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/18/sports/sports-of-the-times-lt-as-in-leadership-thing.html Sports of The Times; L.T., as in 'Leadership Thing'], September 18, 1989, accessed December 7, 2021. The two filled the defensive captain's spot vacated by the retired Harry Carson. The retirement of the nine-time Pro Bowler Carson, broke up the Giants linebacker corps of Carson, Reasons, Banks, and Taylor, which spearheaded the team's defense nicknamed the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew" in the 1980s. The Giants went 12–4,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070410143114/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1989 1989 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. and advanced to the playoffs. In an exciting, down-to-the-wire game, the Rams eliminated the Giants 19–13 in the first round, despite Taylor's two sacks and one forced fumble.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/01/08/sports/rams-win-toss-and-game-as-giants-season-ends.html Rams Win Toss and Game as Giants' Season Ends], The New York Times, January 8, 1990, accessed December 7, 2021.

Taylor held out of training camp before the 1990 season, demanding a new contract with a salary of $2 million per year.Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/07/22/sports/sports-of-the-times-why-l-t-deserves-2-million.html Sports Of The Times; Why L. T. Deserves $2 Million], The New York Times, July 22, 1990, accessed December 7, 2021. Talks dragged into September with neither side budging, and as the season approached Taylor received fines at the rate of $2,500 a day.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/01/sports/football-giants-and-marshall-settle-but-talks-on-taylor-stall.html Giants and Marshall Settle But Talks on Taylor Stall], The New York Times, September 1, 1990, accessed December 7, 2021. He signed a three-year $5 million contract (making him the highest paid defensive player in the league[https://books.google.com/books?id=q68DAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Lawrence+Taylor+%22&pg=PA46 Taylor's Contract Makes him Highest Paid], JET, pg. 46, September 24, 1990.) just four days before the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite sitting out training camp and the preseason, Taylor recorded three sacks and a forced fumble against the Eagles.Litsky, Frank. [https://www.nytimes.com/1990/09/15/sports/fottball-marshall-struggles-to-regain-job.html FOOTBALL; (sic) Marshall Struggles to Regain Job], The New York Times, September 15, 1990, accessed December 7, 2021. He finished with 10.5 sacks and earned his 10th Pro Bowl in as many years, although the season marked the first time in Taylor's career that he was not selected First-team All-Pro. The Giants started out 10–0 and finished with a 13–3 record. In the playoffs, the Giants defeated the Bears 31–3,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070207033604/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&yr=1990&lg=nfl 1990 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. and faced the rival 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. The Giants won 15–13, after Taylor beat two successive blocks by 49ers tight end Brent Jones and fullback Tom Rathman to get into the 49ers offensive backfield to be in position to recover a key fumble by Roger Craig forced by nose tackle Erik Howard late in the game to set up Matt Bahr's game-winning field goal. In Super Bowl XXV, they played the Buffalo Bills and won one of the more entertaining Super Bowls in history, 20-19, after Buffalo's Scott Norwood missed a potential game-winning field goal in the closing seconds of the game.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/super-bowl-xxv-pictures-of-the-new-york-giants-vs-buffalo-bills-from-jan-27-1991-1.13018281 |title=Jan. 27, 1991: Giants beat Bills in Scott Norwood game |website=Newsday |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019}}

Following the 1990 season, Parcells, with whom Taylor had become very close,Rosenberg, Sid. [http://www.fhmonline.com/articles-187.asp Lawrence Taylor interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011955/http://www.fhmonline.com/articles-187.asp |date=September 27, 2007 }}, fhmonline.com, accessed February 23, 2007. retired, and the team was taken over by Ray Handley.{{Cite web |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/05/15/Parcells-steps-down-Handley-replaces-him/3008042540677/ |title=Parcells steps down; Handley replaces him |website=UPI |language=en |access-date=April 3, 2019}} 1991 marked a steep decline in Taylor's production. It became the first season in his career in which he failed to make the Pro Bowl squad, after setting a then record by making it in his first ten years in the league. Taylor finished with 7 sacks in 14 games and the Giants defense, while still respectable, was no longer one of the top units in the league.

Taylor rebounded in the early stages of what many thought would be his final season in 1992. Through close to nine games, Taylor was on pace for 10 sacks and the Giants were 5–4.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070408153055/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1992 1992 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 20, 2007. However, a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered in a game on November 8, 1992, against Green BayAnderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/16/sports/sports-of-the-times-life-without-lt-begins-and-giants-find-it-a-struggle.html Sports of the Times; Life Without L.T. Begins, and Giants Find It a Struggle], The New York Times, November 16, 1992, accessed March 23, 2008. sidelined him for the final seven games, during which the team went 1–6.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070408153055/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=nfl&yr=1992 1992 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. Before the injury Taylor had missed only four games due to injury in his 12-year career. Throughout the 1992 season, and the ensuing offseason, Taylor was noncommittal about his future, alternately saying he might retire, then later hinting he wanted a longer-term contract.Eskenazi, Gerald. [https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/31/sports/pro-football-giants-want-taylor-for-a-year-he-wants-more.html PRO FOOTBALL; Giants Want Taylor for a Year; He Wants More], The New York Times, March 31, 1993, accessed December 7, 2021.

Taylor returned for the 1993 season enticed by the chance to play with a new coach (Dan Reeves),{{Cite web |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-12-19-1993353147-story.html |title=Giant steps: Reeves directs team's ascent |last=Murray |first=Ken |website=The Baltimore Sun |date=December 19, 1993 |language=en-US |access-date=April 3, 2019}} and determined not to end his career due to an injury. The Giants had a resurgent season in 1993. They finished 11–5, and competed for the top NFC playoff seed. Taylor finished with 6 sacks,{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070205165123/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=NYG&lg=NFL&yr=1993 1993 New York Giants]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed February 18, 2007. and the Giants defense led the NFL in fewest points allowed.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070408173530/http://www.databasefootball.com/leagues/leagueyear.htm?yr=1993&lg=NFL 1993 NFL Standings, Stats and Awards]}}, databasefootball.com, accessed March 15, 2007. They defeated the Minnesota Vikings 17–10 in the opening round of the playoffs. The next week on January 15, 1994, in what would be Taylor's final game, the Giants were beaten 44–3 by the San Francisco 49ers. As the game came to a conclusion, television cameras drew in close on Taylor who was crying. He announced his retirement at the post-game press conference saying, "I think it's time for me to retire. I've done everything I can do. I've been to Super Bowls. I've been to playoffs. I've done things that other people haven't been able to do in this game before. After 13 years, it's time for me to go."Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/1994/01/16/sports/sports-of-the-times-lt-decides-it-s-time-for-me-to-go.html Sports of The Times; L.T. Decides 'It's Time For Me to Go'], The New York Times, January 16, 1994, accessed December 7, 2021.

Taylor ended his career with 1,089 tackles, 132.5 sacks (plus 9.5 tallied as a rookie before the stat was officially recognized), nine interceptions, 134 return yards, two touchdowns, 33 forced fumbles (56 verified by [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kEkivKQ2I video]), 11 fumble recoveries, and 34 fumble return yards.

{{blockquote|text=He arrived in the NFL, like an emissary from another planet.{{Cite web |url=https://www.esquire.com/sports/a42791337/lawrence-taylor-nfl-giants-linebacker-football-101/|title=Lawrence Taylor Was the Apex Predator of the NFL|website=Esquire|access-date=April 19, 2025}}|author=Paul Zimmerman (sportswriter)}}

{{blockquote|text=Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as big an impact as any player I've ever seen. He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played, the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers.|author=John Madden}}

Taylor is considered one of the best players to ever play in the NFL, and has been ranked as the top defensive player in league history by some news outlets, media members, former players and coaches.Smith and Moritz. Note: The Sporting News has Taylor ranked fourth behind only offensive players Jim Brown, Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana. See {{cite web |url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/4.html |title=here for web verification |access-date=January 30, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211072227/http://archive.sportingnews.com/nfl/100/4.html |archive-date=December 11, 2007 }}, for a link to the top three players hit the "back" button on the bottom of the page.
*Smith, Stephen. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nfls-top-100-players-of-all-time-debate/ NFL's Top 100 Players of All-Time: Debate], November 5, 2010, accessed November 8, 2010. Note: This list made by the NFL Network, ranks him third overall, behind two offensive players (Rice and Brown).
* [https://www.espn.com/espn/print?id=2823763&type=story Best defensive player in NFL history?], espn.com, March 26, 2007, accessed April 17, 2007.
* Celizic, Mike. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130104072529/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9218972/wid/6448213/ No way Rice is greatest player ever: 42-year-old might be best WR ever, but Brown, LT are best players]}}, msnbc.com, September 6, 2005, accessed February 24, 2007.
* Prisco, Pete. [http://sportsline.com/nfl/story/9905724 Year-End Awards: Can Tomlinson steal L.T. nickname?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070128095213/http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9905724 |date=January 28, 2007 }}, cbssportsline.com, January 3, 2007, accessed April 17, 2007.
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/27/taylor_pkg/ Does LT's conduct make him Hall of Fame worthy?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206000919/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/27/taylor_pkg/ |date=December 6, 2008 }}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, accessed January 29, 2007.
* Barall, Andy. [http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/jim-brown-should-be-no-1-but-what-about-most-underrated/ Jim Brown Should Be No. 1, but What About Most Underrated?], The New York Times, November 5, 2010, accessed November 23, 2010.
* Joyner, K.C. [https://insider.espn.com/nfl/insider/columns/story?columnist=joyner_kc&id=3312830 Taylor's level of dominance not seen in today's game], espn.com, March 27, 2008, accessed June 17, 2020.
* Taylor and Serby. pgs. 251–260 ("Props" chapter, includes quotes from players and coaches)
* Feldman, Bruce. {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130103010449/http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2798343&searchName=feldman_bruce Ten who should be in]}}, espn.com, March 14, 2007, accessed May 6, 2007. He has also been described as one of the most "feared" and "intimidating" players in NFL history.[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lt-over-the-edge-642605/ L.T. Over The Edge], CBS News, accessed December 7, 2021. Taylor's explosive speed and power is credited with changing the outside linebacker position from one of "read and react" to aggression and attack.[https://www.espn.com/endofcentury/s/other/innovations.html End of Century – ESPN.com's Ten important innovations], ESPN, accessed June 17, 2020.
* Frostino. pg. 204
* Montana and Weiner. pg. 207
* Kirwan, Pat. [http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9544216 Summer reading: The greatest game-changers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060710211945/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/9544216 |date=July 10, 2006 }}, NFL.com, July 7, 2006, accessed May 7, 2007.
* Rand. pg. ii

{{blockquote|text=I always get a kick out of people that talk about, 'Well, this player was like that player,' It’s like, 'Listen, no, there isn’t another Lawrence Taylor.' To me, he’s the standard by which you measure everything.{{Cite web |url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/giants/2021/09/06/new-york-giants-lawrence-taylor-ranked-no-4-the-athletic-all-time-top-100/79968904007/|title=Giants legend Lawrence Taylor ranked No. 4 on The Athletic's All-Time Top 100|website=Giants Wire|access-date=April 19, 2025}}|author=Joe Theismann}}

Washington Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs developed the two tight end offense and the position of H-back to prevent Taylor from blitzing into the backfield unhindered.[http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4062 The Polian Corner] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022114800/http://www.colts.com/sub.cfm?page=article7&news_id=4062 |date=October 22, 2006 }}, colts.com, September 20, 2006, accessed March 18, 2007. "We had to try in some way have a special game plan just for Lawrence Taylor. Now you didn't do that very often in this league but I think he's one person that we learned the lesson the hard way. We lost ball games."Walsh. pg. 238 His skills changed the way offensive coaches blocked linebackers. In the late '70s and early '80s, a blitzing linebacker was picked up by a running back. However, these players were no match for Taylor.Schwartz. pg. 142 The tactic employed by San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh in the 1982 playoffs, using an offensive guard to block Taylor, was copied around the league. However, this left a hole in pass protection that a blitzing middle linebacker could exploit. Later, Walsh and other coaches began using offensive tackles to block Taylor. Later it became common for offensive linemen to pick up blitzing linebackers. In addition to the changes in offensive schemes Taylor influenced, he also introduced new defensive techniques to the game, such as chopping the ball out of a quarterback's hands (to potentially force a more valuable turnover) rather than simply tackling him for a loss.[http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579396/Lawrence_Taylor.html Lawrence Taylor], encarta.msn.com, accessed January 29, 2007. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090829003515/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761579396/Lawrence_Taylor.html Archived]}} October 31, 2009. This exemplified a team-first strategy that dampened Taylor’s sack totals while increasing the prospects of Giants success.

{{blockquote|text=For me, crazy as it seems, there is a real relationship between wild, reckless abandon off the field and being that way on the field.|author=Taylor|source=in 1987Taylor and Falkner, p. 189.}}

Taylor began using illicit drugs during his professional rookie season, 1981–1982.Taylor and Serby, p. 89. He would pass the NFL's drug tests, however, by routinely obtaining his teammates' urine to submit as his own urine samples.

As his drug habit escalated, he would spend up to thousands of dollars a day on "coke and women." His first wife, Linda, once had to pick him up from a crack house.Lupica, p. 82. And he once attended a team meeting still handcuffed from the night before by some "ladies that were trying out some new equipment", but "just didn't happen to have the key", he would recall.

In 1987, he finally tested positive for cocaine, and admitted to using it. The next year, 1988, he failed a second drug test, whereupon the NFL suspended him for 30 days. With that, he abstained from drugs until his 1993 retirement, as a third failed drug test would end his career. Yet he would later recall that in retiring, "I saw blow as the only bright spot in my future."Taylor and Serby, p. 161.

During 1995, he went through drug rehab twice. But over the next three years, he was arrested twice, via undercover police officers, for attempts to buy cocaine.[https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016489.html Taylor ranked 40th-best athlete], espn.com, accessed May 3, 2007. Meanwhile, he associated mainly with drug users, and his home usually had white sheets over its windows. "I had gotten really bad. I mean my place was almost like a crack house," Taylor would later explain.

In Taylor's final year in the NFL, he started a company called All-Pro Products. The company went public at $5 a share, and tripled in value during its first month. The stock price reached $16.50 a share, at which point Taylor's stake had an estimated value of over $10 million.Norris, Floyd. [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/23/business/sec-says-3-rigged-stock-in-football-star-s-company.html S.E.C. Says 3 Rigged Stock In Football Star's Company], The New York Times, September 23, 1995, accessed December 7, 2021. The company ceased production shortly thereafter however, and Taylor, who never sold his stock, lost several hundred thousand dollars. He had been defrauded by several members of the penny stock firm Hanover Sterling & Company, who had short sold the company's stock, making it worthless.Henriques, Diana B. [https://www.nytimes.com/1996/04/18/business/and-they-all-came-tumbling-down-short-seller-levels-a-wall-st-institution.html And They All Came Tumbling Down;Short-Seller Levels a Wall St. Institution], The New York Times, April 18, 1996, accessed December 7, 2021. The Securities and Exchange Commission ruled that two traders had manipulated the price of the stock,[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n23_v88/ai_17639255 Ex-football star Lawrence Taylor falls victim to stock fraud.(Securities and Exchange Commission fines Robert Catoggio and Ronan Garber)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103184538/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n23_v88/ai_17639255 |date=January 3, 2009 }}, JET, October 16, 1995, accessed April 21, 2007. which skyrocketed while the company was losing over $900,000.

In 1997 Taylor pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return in 1990, and in 2000 he was "sentenced to three months of house arrest, five years of probation, and 500 hours of community service for tax evasion."

File:LT portrait.jpg

After his career ended, Taylor worked in several regular television jobs. He first worked as a football analyst for the now defunct TNT Sunday Night Football. In a one-off show, Taylor also appeared as a wrestler in the World Wrestling Federation, defeating Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event of WrestleMania XI. He also worked as a color commentator on an amateur fighting program entitled Toughman on the FX channel.Associated Press. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_19990716/ai_n11731532 Strange: A broadcaster who still plays] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090104214751/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4179/is_19990716/ai_n11731532 |date=January 4, 2009 }}, The Topeka Capital-Journal, available online via findarticles.com, July 16, 1999, accessed April 11, 2007. On September 4, 1995, the Giants retired Phil Simms' jersey during halftime of a game against the Cowboys (Taylor had his number retired the year before). Simms celebrated the moment by throwing an impromptu ceremonial pass to Taylor. Simms recalled, "[a]ll of a sudden it kind of hit me, I've put Lawrence in a really tough spot; national TV, he's got dress shoes and a sports jacket on, and he's had a few beers and he's going to run down the field and I'm going to throw him a pass."NFL Films, NFL Network, accessed April 22, 2007. Simms motioned for Taylor to run a long pattern and after 30–40 yards threw him the pass. Taylor later said the situation made him more nervous than any play of his career, "I'm saying to myself (as the pass is being thrown), 'If I drop this pass, I got to run my black ass all the way back to Upper Saddle River because there ain't no way I'm going to be able to stay in that stadium'." Taylor caught the pass, however, and the capacity crowd in attendance cheered in approval.George, Thomas. [https://www.nytimes.com/1995/09/05/sports/on-pro-football-the-giants-best-play-of-the-dallas-game-was-simms-to-l-t.html ON PRO FOOTBALL; The Giants' Best Play Of the Dallas Game Was Simms to L. T.], The New York Times, September 5, 1995, accessed December 7, 2021.

Taylor pursued a career in acting, appearing in the Oliver Stone movie Any Given Sunday where he played a character much like himself. He appeared as himself in the HBO series The Sopranos and the film The Waterboy. He also had a role in the 2000 version of Shaft. Taylor voiced the steroid-riddled, possibly insane former football player B.J. Smith in the video game, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The character poked fun at his fearsome, drug-fueled public image. He also added his voice to the video game Blitz: The League and its sequel, which were partially based on his life in the NFL.Thomas, Vincent.[https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2006/01/01/new-video-games-hype-bawdy-off-field-antics/ New video games hype bawdy off-field antics], Tampa Bay Times, January 1, 2006, accessed February 24, 2007. He also acted in the 2000 Christian film Mercy Streets with Eric Roberts and Stacy Keach, and the 2003 prison movie In Hell with Jean-Claude Van Damme.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0243415/ Mercy Streets], IMDb, accessed November 29, 2010.*
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0339135/ In Hell], IMDb, accessed November 29, 2010.

In 1999, when Taylor became eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there were some concerns his hard-partying lifestyle and drug abuse would hurt his candidacy.[http://media.cnnsi.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/30/halloffame_voting/ LT gets the OK] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930015213/http://media.cnnsi.com/football/nfl/news/1999/01/30/halloffame_voting/ |date=September 30, 2007 }}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, January 30, 1999, accessed May 3, 2007. These concerns proved to be ill-founded, however, as he was voted in on the first ballot. His son Lawrence Taylor Jr. gave his introduction speech at the induction ceremony.{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130119105636/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/news/1999/08/07/halloffame_ceremony_ap/ Five for the ages: Pro Football Hall of Fame inducts five more members]}}, sportsillustrated.cnn.com, accessed February 17, 2007. Taylor's ex-wife, his three children, and his parents were in attendance and during his induction speech Taylor acknowledged them saying, "thank you for putting up with me for all those years." He also credited former Giants owner Wellington Mara for being supportive of him saying, "[h]e probably cared more about me as a person than he really should have."

In 2004 Taylor released an autobiography, LT: Over the Edge. Taylor often spoke of his NFL years, which he played with reckless abandon, and the drug-abusing stages of his life as the "L.T." periods of his life. He described "L.T." as an adrenaline junkie who lived life on a thrill ride. Taylor said in 2003 that "L. T. died a long time ago, and I don't miss him at all ... all that's left is Lawrence Taylor."

File:Lawrence Taylor signing autographs in Jan 2014.jpg

Taylor re-emerged into the public eye in July 2006, after appearing on the cover of a Sports Illustrated issue dedicated to former athletes and sport figures. In the magazine, Taylor credited his hobby of golf with helping him get over his previous hard-partying ways and drug filled lifestyle.Sports Illustrated. Volume 105, issue 1. July 3, 2006. He co-founded eXfuze, a network marketing company based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Along with former NFL players, such as Eric Dickerson and Seth Joyner, he was a spokesman for Seven+, the flagship multi-botanical drink produced by the company.[http://www.exfuze.com/AllStars.aspx All Stars] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080821063554/http://www.exfuze.com/AllStars.aspx |date=August 21, 2008 }}, exfuse.com, accessed October 5, 2010. His son Brandon signed a national letter to play with the Purdue Boilermakers.[http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020409aam.html Seventeen sign Letters-of-Intent; class of 2009 numbers 20 in all] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207061210/http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020409aam.html |date=February 7, 2009 }} purduesports.com, February 2, 2009, accessed October 6, 2010. Taylor was a contestant on the 8th season of Dancing with the Stars,[http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/02/09/dancing%E2%80%99s-season-eight-cast-is-revealed/ "Dancing's Season Eight Cast Is Revealed! – PEOPLE TV Watch"], tvwatch.com, September 2, 2009, accessed October 5, 2010. partnered with Edyta Śliwińska. He was eliminated in the seventh week on the April 21, 2009, show.Barrett, Annie. [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20274063,00.html 'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Suited to a Tee] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425022423/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20274063,00.html |date=April 25, 2009 }}, ew.com, April 21, 2009, accessed October 5, 2010.

In 2009, Taylor started having troubles in his personal life again. On November 8, he was arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida for leaving the scene of an accident after striking another vehicle with his Cadillac Escalade.[https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-taylortimeline050710 Lawrence Taylor Timeline], yahoosports.com, May 7, 2010, accessed November 29, 2010. He had already committed the same offense in 1996 when he totaled his Lexus in a one-car accident and left the scene, saying he did not think the law required the reporting of a single driver incident.Jamieson, Wendell. [http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/news/1996/05/18/1996-05-18_lt_cited_for_leaving_scene_o.html LT Cited For Leaving Scene of Wreck]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, New York Daily News, May 18, 1996, accessed November 29, 2010. He was released on a $500 bond, and the other driver later sued him, seeking $15,000.Maske, Mark. [http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2009/11/tmz-reports-lawrence-taylor-busted.html TMZ reports Lawrence Taylor busted] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115002202/http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/nflnewsfeed/2009/11/tmz-reports-lawrence-taylor-busted.html |date=November 15, 2009 }}, The Washington Post, November 6, 2009, accessed October 5, 2010.Tribune News Services. [http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/05/ex-giants-star-taylor-sued-over-car-crash.html Ex-Giants star Taylor sued over car crash], chicagobreakingsports.com, May 20, 2010, accessed November 29, 2010.

In May 2010, Taylor was arrested for statutory rape of a 16-year-old girl, at a Holiday Inn located in Montebello, New York.Zinser, Lynn.[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/07/sports/football/07taylor.html Lawrence Taylor Arrested After Rape Allegation]The New York Times, May 6, 2010, accessed October 5, 2010. He was charged with felony third-degree statutory rape, for allegedly engaging in sexual intercourse with someone under 17.[http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/06/lawrence.taylor.rape.case/index.html?hpt=T1 NFL Hall of Famer charged in rape case], CNN.com, May 7, 2010, accessed October 5, 2010. He was also charged with third-degree patronization for allegedly paying the underage girl $300 to have sex with him.Maske, Mark.Taylor arrested, charged with rape, Washington Post, May 7, 2010. The girl told investigators that her pimp commanded her to tell Taylor that she was 19, which Taylor corroborated. The pimp, 36-year old Rasheed Davis, was charged with federal child sex trafficking.{{Cite web |date=July 7, 2010 |title=Lawrence Taylor Child Prostitute Lied About Her Age: TMZ |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lawrence-taylor-child-pro_n_567994 |access-date=January 22, 2023 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=March 23, 2011 |title=Lawrence Taylor on 16-year-old prostitute: "I don't card them" |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/03/23/lawrence-taylor-on-16-year-old-i-dont-card-them/ |access-date=January 22, 2023 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}} The girl was represented by celebrity attorney Gloria Allred when Taylor pleaded guilty on March 22, 2011. Taylor was sentenced to six years probation as part of a plea agreement, in which he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanors of sexual misconduct and patronizing a prostitute. He also registered as a low-risk, level-one sex offender.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nfl-legend-lawrence-taylor-pleads-guilty-to-sexual-misconduct/|title=NFL Legend Lawrence Taylor Pleads Guilty to Sexual Misconduct|website=Fox News |date=January 13, 2011}}Fitzgerald, Jim. [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/lawrence-taylor-sex-offender-low-risk_n_848109.html Lawrence Taylor Declared Low-Risk Sex Offender] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204181516/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/12/lawrence-taylor-sex-offender-low-risk_n_848109.html |date=December 4, 2011 }}, Huffington Post, April 12, 2011, accessed September 20, 2011. On October 26, 2012, a court rejected the victim's claims that Taylor assaulted her.{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/lawrence-taylor-ex-new-york-giant-wins-teen-sex-case-0ap1000000085933|title=Lawrence Taylor, ex-New York Giant, wins teen sex case|work=National Football League|date=October 26, 2012|access-date=October 26, 2012}}

As of 2016, Taylor resides in Pembroke Pines, Florida.Anderson, Dave. [https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/28/sports/pro-football-losing-himself-to-find-himself.html PRO FOOTBALL; Losing Himself to Find Himself], The New York Times, November 28, 2003, accessed December 7, 2021. On June 9, 2016, Taylor's wife was arrested for domestic violence in Florida after she threw "an unknown object" and struck Taylor in the back of the head.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/wife-lawrence-taylor-busted-domestic-violence-article-1.2659809|title=Giants great Lawrence Taylor's wife busted for hitting his head|website=New York Daily News|date=June 9, 2016|access-date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307075955/http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/wife-lawrence-taylor-busted-domestic-violence-article-1.2659809|url-status=dead}} By 2021, Taylor was once again divorced.

In May 2017, Taylor put up for auction the Vince Lombardi mini statue he had won for the Super Bowl XXV win.{{cite news |last=Rovell|first=Darren |date=May 2, 2017 |title=Lawrence Taylor puts mini Lombardi Trophy up for auction |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/19294268/lawrence-taylor-mini-lombardi-trophy-new-york-giants-auction|work=ESPN |access-date=January 12, 2020}} The next month, he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol following a September 2, 2016, crash into a stopped police car in Palm Beach County, Florida. The two breathalyzer tests taken five hours after the crash measured Taylor's blood-alcohol level at .082 and .084, above the Florida legal limit of .080.{{cite magazine |last=Gartland |first=Dan |date=June 19, 2017 |title=Lawrence Taylor pleads guilty to DUI after crashing into police car|url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/06/19/giants-lawrence-taylor-dui-guilty-plea-florida |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=January 12, 2020}}

In December 2021, Taylor was arrested after again failing to report his new address, which was required due to his status as a registered sex offender.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-sports-entertainment-lawrence-taylor-arrests-c132f6917890586f7eeb490430a08f49|title=Lawrence Taylor charged with failing to report new address|publisher=Associated Press|date=December 20, 2021|accessdate=July 19, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5645863/2024/07/18/lawrence-taylor-arrest-florida/|title=Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor arrested in Florida on felony warrant|first=Amos|last=Morale III|publisher=The Athletic|date=July 18, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}} He would be released shortly afterwards after posting a $500 bail. Taylor blamed his recent divorce for not updating authorities about the 2021 address change.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/lawrence-taylor-nfl-charged-florida-152a808ded5b29e5ea71b6110bd5209d|title=Former NFL star Lawrence Taylor charged with failing to update address on sex offender registry|publisher=Associated Press|date=July 19, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}} In July 2024, Taylor was arrested in Florida after once again failing to report a new residency, which again resulted in Taylor avoiding to properly register as a sex offender.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/lawrence-taylor-is-arrested-for-failing-to-properly-register-as-sex-offender-again|title=Lawrence Taylor is arrested for failing to properly register as sex offender, again|first=Mike|last=Florio|publisher=NBC News|date=July 18, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}} After turning himself in, Taylor would be released with no bail after spending several hours in the main Broward County jail. For this second offense, Taylor would be criminally charged.{{cite news|url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/new-york-giants/giants-country/news/new-york-giants-lawrence-taylor-arrest-sex-offender|title=New York Giants Legend Lawrence Taylor Arrested|first=Nick|last=Faria|publisher=Athlon Sports Nation|date=July 19, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}} Taylor's attorney has stated that Taylor would plead not guilty, describing the incident as a "misunderstanding" rather than a criminal offense.

* 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.

[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/sacks_year_by_year.htm Year-by-year sack leaders], Pro Football Reference.com, retrieved 9/22/15

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

• NFL 'unofficial' record: 56 career forced fumbles (watch all 56 forced fumbles [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V_kEkivKQ2I here])

NFL

• 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)
• Bert Bell Award (1986)
• PFWA NFL MVP (1986)
• DC Touchdown Club NFL Player of the Year (1986)
• Sporting News NFL MVP (1986)
• 2× UPI NFC Player of the Year (1983, 1986)
• 2× 101 Awards NFC Defensive Player of the Year (1984, 1986)
• PFW NFL Defensive Player of the Year (1986)
• George Halas Trophy (1986)
• 10× Pro Bowl (1981–1990)
• 8× First Team All-Pro (1981–1986, 1988, 1989)
• 2× Second Team All-Pro (1987, 1990)
• 6× NEA First Team All-Pro (1981–1986)
• 2× NEA Second Team All-Pro (1988, 1989)
• 6× Sporting News All-Pro Team (1981, 1983–1986, 1988)
• 8× PFW All-Pro Team (1981–1984, 1986–1989)
• 9× UPI All-NFC Team (1981–1986, 1988–1990){{Cite web |title=Lawrence Taylor Pro Football Stats, Position, College, Draft |url=https://profootballarchives.com/players/t/tayl08200.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=profootballarchives.com}}
• 8× PFWA All-NFL Team (1981–1986, 1988, 1989)
• PFWA All-Rookie Team (1981)
• NFL sacks leader (1986)
• 4× NFL forced fumbles leader (1982, 1984, 1985, 1988){{efn|Co-led the league in 1982 with Maurice Harvey, Greg Brown, and Manu Tuiasosopo; Co-led with Richard Dent in 1985.}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=V_kEkivKQ2I |title=Lawrence Taylor Highlights: A compilation of every forced fumble he caused throughout his career. |date=2014-04-26 |last=john smith |access-date=2025-04-18 |via=YouTube}}
• NFL approximate value leader (1985){{Cite web |title=NFL Approximate Value Year-by-Year Leaders |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/av_year_by_year.htm |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team (unanimous selection)
• NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team (unanimous selection)
• New York Giants Ring of Honor
• The Greatest New York Giant of All Time{{Cite web |title=Giants Top 100 Players {{!}} New York Giants - Giants.com |url=https://www.giants.com/100/top100players |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=www.giants.com |language=en-US}}
• New York Giants No. 56 retired
• NFL record for sacks in a single season by a linebacker with 20.5 (1986){{Cite web |last=Swartz |first=Bryn |title=Where Have You Gone, Lawrence Taylor? |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/162331-where-have-you-gone-lawrence-taylor |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=bleacherreport.com |language=en}}
• NFL "unofficial" record for career forced fumbles with 56{{Cite web |date=2021-09-08 |title='LT' Returning To Chapel Hill For Saturday's Game |url=https://northcarolina.rivals.com/news/lt-returning-to-chapel-hill-for-saturday-s-game |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=northcarolina.rivals.com |language=en}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=V_kEkivKQ2I |title=Lawrence Taylor Highlights: A compilation of every forced fumble he caused throughout his career. |date=2014-04-26 |last=john smith |access-date=2025-04-22 |via=YouTube}}

College

• 2× ACC Champion (1977, 1980)
• 1977 Liberty Bowl Champion
• 1979 Gator Bowl Champion
• 1980 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl Champion
• 1981 East–West Shrine Bowl Champion{{Cite web |title=Past Rosters |url=https://shrinebowl.com/past-rosters/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=East West Shrine Bowl |language=en-US}}
• ACC Player of the Year (1980)
• Unanimous All-American (1980)
• AFCA All-American
• AP First Team All-American
• FWAA All-American
• UPI First Team All-American
• NEA Second Team All-American
• Sporting News All-American
• First Team All-ACC (1980)
• UNC Patterson Medal (1981){{Cite web |title=Lawrence Taylor (1981) - Patterson Medal Winners |url=https://goheels.com/honors/patterson-medal-winners/lawrence-taylor/80 |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=University of North Carolina Athletics |language=en}}
• East–West Shrine Bowl All-Century Team{{Cite web |title=EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL ANNOUNCES ALL-CENTURY TEAM; UNVEILS EXHIBIT AT COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME |url=https://shrinebowl.com/news/east-west-shrine-bowl-announces-all-century-team-unveils-exhibit-at-college-football-hall-of-fame/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=East West Shrine Bowl |language=en-US}}
• ACC 50th Anniversary Team
• North Carolina Tar Heels Jersey No. 98 honored
• North Carolina record for sacks in a single season with 16 (1980){{Cite web |date=2021-05-24 |title=No. 7: Lawrence Taylor |url=https://northcarolina.rivals.com/news/no-7-lawrence-taylor-1 |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=northcarolina.rivals.com |language=en}}
• In 2003, Taylor was ranked #7 on the Atlantic Coast Conference's list of Top 10 Male Athletes of All Time{{Cite web |date=2003-03-13 |title=Three Terrapins Chosen To ACC's All-Time Top 10 |url=https://umterps.com/news/2003/3/13/207265993 |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=University of Maryland Athletics |language=en}}

Halls of Fame

• Pro Football Hall of Fame – Class of 1999{{Cite web |title=Lawrence Taylor {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/lawrence-taylor/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=pfhof |language=en}}
• Virginia Sports Hall of Fame – Class of 2003{{Cite web |last=ccmadmin |date=2017-08-25 |title=Lawrence Taylor {{!}} Virginia Sports Hall of Fame |url=https://vasportshof.com/inductee/lawrence-taylor/ |access-date=2025-04-17 |language=en-US}}

Media

• ESPN American Athlete of the Year (1986){{Cite web |date=2016-08-16 |title=The Best American Athlete Championship Belt |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/17303175/best-american-athlete-championship-belt-best-athlete-sports-history-michael-jordan-michael-phelps-babe-ruth-tiger-woods-united-states |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
• 6× ESPN NFL Pass Rusher of the Year (1981–1986){{Cite web |date=2023-09-21 |title=LT, J.J. Watt, Nick Bosa and ???: Barnwell awards the champ belt for the best pass-rushers of the past 42 seasons |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38445386/best-nfl-pass-rushers-year-barnwell-picks-championship-belt-winners-bosa-watt-donald-strahan-taylor |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
• WrestleMania XI Main Event Winner (1995){{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTuFC5VdZNM |title=FULL MATCH: Lawrence Taylor vs. Bam Bam Bigelow: WrestleMania XI |date=2025-04-13 |last=WWE Vault |access-date=2025-04-19 |via=YouTube}}
• Ranked #5 on the Associated Press' list of Greatest Football Players of the 20th Century (1999){{Cite web |title=Taylor Among Top 10 Football Players Of The Century |url=https://goheels.com/news/1999/12/10/205492229 |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=University of North Carolina Athletics |language=en}}
• Ranked #40 on SportsCentury: Top 50 North American Athletes of the 20th Century (1999){{Cite web |title=ESPN.com: Taylor ranked 40th-best athlete |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016489.html |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=www.espn.com}}
• Ranked #3 on The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players (2010)
• Ranked #2 on the New York Daily News list of Top 50 NFL Players of All Time (2014){{Cite web |last=Myers |first=Gary |date=2014-12-03 |title=NFL Top 50: Jim Brown is best player in league history, edges Giants’ Lawrence Taylor in Daily News’ rankings (Nos. 1-10) |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2014/12/03/nfl-top-50-jim-brown-is-best-player-in-league-history-edges-giants-lawrence-taylor-in-daily-news-rankings-nos-1-10/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}
• 2× NFL.com's Greatest Defensive Player of All Time (2016, 2022){{Cite web |title=Top 10 defensive players ever |url=https://www.nfl.com/photos/top-10-defensive-players-ever-0ap3000000648967 |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Top three NFL defensive players of all time? Aaron Donald, Lawrence Taylor among answers |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/top-three-nfl-defensive-players-of-all-time-aaron-donald-lawrence-taylor-among-a |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}
• ESPN's All-Time All-ACC Team (2019)
• Ranked #42 on the list of ESPN's Top 150 Greatest College Football Players of All Time (2020){{Cite web |title=Three Placed On CFB150 All-Time Greatest Players List |url=https://goheels.com/news/2020/1/9/football-three-placed-on-cfb150-all-time-greatest-players-list |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=University of North Carolina Athletics |language=en}}
• Ranked #4 on The Athletic's list of Top 100 NFL Players of All Time (2021){{Cite news |last=Duggan |first=Dan |date=2024-07-18 |title=NFL 100: At No. 4, Lawrence Taylor, the brash, lethal force and destroyer of opposing game plans |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2801975/2021/09/05/nfl-100-at-no-4-lawrence-taylor-brash-lethal-force-destroyer-of-opposing-game-plans/ |access-date=2025-04-19 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}
• ESPN's Greatest NFL Edge Rusher of All Time (2022){{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title=The greatest NFL defenders ever: We picked the GOAT at each position, from LT to Prime Time |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/34303384/greatest-nfl-players-ever-every-defensive-special-teams-position-picking-goat-edge-rusher-linebacker-cornerback-kicker |access-date=2025-04-18 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
• The 33rd Team's NFL All-Time Defensive Front 7 Team (2023){{Cite web |title=Giants Now: Lawrence Taylor named to The 33rd Team's best all-time defensive front 7 |url=https://www.giants.com/news/lawrence-taylor-best-all-time-front-7-reggie-white-joe-greene-the-33rd-team |access-date=2025-04-19 |website=www.giants.com |language=en-US}}
• [https://haroldpumpfoundation.com/ Harold & Carole Pump Foundation] – Lifetime Achievement Award (2024){{Cite web |title=Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees |url=https://haroldpumpfoundation.com/index.php/events/lifetime-achievement-award-honorees |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Harold & Carole Pump Foundation |language=en-gb}}

• History of the New York Giants (1979–1993)
• List of New York Giants players
• List of NFL career sacks leaders

{{Notes list}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Refbegin|colwidth=50em}}

• Danyluk, Tom. Super '70s, Chicago: Mad Uke Publishing. 2005 {{ISBN|0-9770383-0-0}}
• Eskenazi, Gerald. A Sports-Writer's Life: From the Desk of a New York Times Reporter, Columbia: University of Missouri Press. 2004 {{ISBN|0-8262-1510-6}}
• Frostino, Nino. Right on the Numbers, British Columbia: Trafford Publishing. 2004 {{ISBN|1-4120-3305-5}}
• Gutman, Bill. Parcells: A Biography, New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers. 2001 {{ISBN|0-7867-0934-0}}
• Harris, Othello, Nolte, Claire Elaine, and Kirsch, George B. Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 2000 {{ISBN|0-313-29911-0}}
• Lupica, Mike. LT, New York, New York Media, LLC December 24–31, 1990 issue, ISSN 0028-7369 ([https://books.google.com/books?id=8OcgyAbJx4QC&dq=%22Lawrence+Taylor+%22&pg=PA82 available online])
• Montana, Joe, and Weiner, Richard. Joe Montana's Art and Magic of Quarterbacking: The Secrets of the Game from One of the All-Time Best, Ontario: Owl Books, 1998 {{ISBN|0-8050-4278-4}}
• Neft, David S., Cohen, Richard M., and Korch, Rick. The Complete History of Professional Football from 1892 to the Present. New York: St. Martin's Press. 1994 {{ISBN|0-312-11435-4}}
• Pervin, Lawrence A. Football's New York Giants: A History. McFarland 2009 {{ISBN|0-7864-4268-9}}
• Powell, Adam. University of North Carolina Football, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. 2006 {{ISBN|0-7385-4288-1}}
• Russo, Christopher, & Allen, St. John. The Mad Dog Hall of Fame: The Ultimate Top-Ten Rankings of the Best in Sports. Broadway 2007 {{ISBN|0-7679-2372-3}}
• Schwartz, Paul. Tales from the New York Giants Sideline, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC. 2004 {{ISBN|1-58261-758-9}}
• Shampoe, Clay. The Virginia Sports Hall Of Fame: Honoring Champions Of The Commonwealth, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. 2005 {{ISBN|0-7385-1776-3}}
• Rand, Jonathan. Riddell Presents the Gridiron's Greatest Linebackers, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC. 2003 {{ISBN|1-58261-625-6}}
• Smith, Ron and Moritz, Carl. The Sporting News Selects Football's 100 Greatest Players: A Celebration of the 20th Century's Best, Missouri: Sporting News Publishing Co. 1999 {{ISBN|0-89204-624-4}}
• Sprechman, Jordan and Shannon, Bill. This Day in New York Sports, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC. 1998 {{ISBN|1-57167-254-0}}
• Taylor, Lawrence and Falkner, David. LT: Living on the Edge New York: Random House. 1987 {{ISBN|0-8129-1703-0}}
• Taylor, Lawrence and Serby, Steve. LT: Over the Edge Tackling Quarterbacks, Drugs, and a World Beyond Football. New York: HarperCollins. 2003 {{ISBN|0-06-018551-1}}
• Taylor, Lawrence. Taylor (Icons of the NFL). New York: Rugged Land. 2006 {{ISBN|1-59071-082-7}}
• Walsh, Chris. New York Giants Football: Guide and Record Book. Illinois: Triumph Books 2009 {{ISBN|1-60078-189-6}}
• Ziegel, Vic. Giants in the Earth. New York Media, LLC Vol. 16, No. 40 October 10, 1983 ISSN 0028-7369 ([https://books.google.com/books?id=J9gBAAAAMBAJ available online])

{{Refend}}

{{sister project links|d=Q963129|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|species=no}}

• {{official website}}
• {{ProFootballHOF|212}}
• {{IMDb name|id=0852753|name=Lawrence Taylor}}
• {{professional wrestling profiles}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Lawrence}}

Category:1959 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American criminals

Category:African-American male actors

Category:All-American college football players

Category:American male criminals

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male professional wrestlers

Category:American football outside linebackers

Category:American sportspeople in doping cases

Category:Criminals from Virginia

Category:Doping cases in American football

Category:Legends Football League coaches

Category:National Conference Pro Bowl players

Category:NFL announcers

Category:NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year winners

Category:NFL players with retired numbers

Category:New York Giants players

Category:North Carolina Tar Heels football players

Category:People from Upper Saddle River, New Jersey

Category:Players of American football from Virginia

Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Sportspeople from Williamsburg, Virginia

Category:NFL Defensive Player of the Year winners

Category:NFL Most Valuable Player winners

Category:American sportspeople convicted of crimes

Category:Second overall NFL draft picks

Category:Players of American football from Bergen County, New Jersey