Lawrence Taylor
The only defensive player to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year as a rookie.
Lawrence Julius Taylor, nicknamed "L.T.", is an American former professional football linebacker who played 13 seasons with the New York Giants. After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Taylor was selected second overall in the 1981 NFL draft. He immediately became a disruptive force, credited with changing defensive game plans, pass rushing schemes, and offensive formations across the league.
- Position
- Outside Linebacker
- Championships
- Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV
- MVP Honors
- NFL Most Valuable Player (1986)
- Jersey Status
- #56 Retired by the New York Giants
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Taylor's arrival in 1981 sparked immediate controversy due to contract demands, yet he quickly resolved issues and made an unforgettable impact. He became the first and only player to win both NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his debut season. Known for a "love-hate relationship" with defensive coordinator Bill Parcells, Taylor once told him, "You either cut me or trade me but get the fuck off my back," prompting Parcells to privately remark, "I like that LT. That motherfucker's got a mean streak." His intensity was legendary; teammate Phil Simms described him as an animal on the pass rush who would run around or over defenders. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw later recalled facing him in exhibition games, saying Taylor "dang-near killed me" and "ripped my ribs to pieces." Taylor produced double-digit sacks every season from 1984 through 1990, including 11.5 in 1984 and 13.0 in 1985, with a career-high of 20.5 in 1986.
In Their Own Story
On September 6, 1981, Taylor made his NFL regular-season debut against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording an unremarkable game aside from a penalty for a late hit on Perry Harrington. Later that season against the St. Louis Cardinals, he rushed and sacked the passer despite being assigned to drop into coverage. When corrected by Parcells, Taylor famously retorted, "Well, we better put it in on Monday, because that play's a dandy." By 1986, his dominance peaked when he won the league's Most Valuable Player award, becoming only the second defensive player ever to do so, joining Alan Page (1971). He led the Giants' "Big Blue Wrecking Crew" defense to victories in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. Alongside Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, Brad Van Pelt, Brian Kelley, Pepper Johnson, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson, Taylor formed the legendary "Crunch Bunch," cementing a reputation as one of the best linebacking corps in NFL history.
Reader's Guide
Fans should understand that Taylor's influence extended far beyond his stats. He forced opposing teams to completely alter their offensive strategies just to account for him. In training camp, teammates joked his locker needed a phone booth because they called him "Superman," while he wore number 56 in honor of Cowboys linebacker Thomas Henderson. His rookie year saw the Giants' points allowed drop from 425 in 1980 to 257 in 1981. Although his personal life faced scrutiny later due to drug suspensions and legal issues, including a 30-day suspension in 1988 and a 2010 arrest for statutory rape which led to sex offender registration, his on-field legacy remains untarnished in the eyes of many. He was named First-team All-Pro in eight of his first ten seasons. His jersey number 56 was retired by the Giants, standing as a testament to a player who changed the game forever.
Did You Know?
- Taylor was the only NFL player to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in his rookie season.
- He and Alan Page are the only defensive players in league history to be named the league's Most Valuable Player.
- Taylor recorded a career-high of 20.5 sacks during the 1986 season.
- He was selected by the Giants as the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft, despite two GMs saying they would not take him if they had the first pick.
- Taylor switched from defensive lineman to linebacker in 1979 during his junior year at UNC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lawrence Taylor?
Lawrence Julius 'L.T.' Taylor was an outside linebacker who played his entire 13-season NFL career with the New York Giants after being drafted second overall in 1981. He remains one of the most dominant defensive players in history, known for revolutionizing how the game is played on defense.
What made Lawrence Taylor so special on the field?
Taylor was a disruptive force who forced opposing teams to completely alter their offensive formations and pass-rushing schemes just to account for his presence. His ability to pressure quarterbacks from the outside linebacker position changed defensive strategies across the entire league.
What are Lawrence Taylor's biggest career achievements?
He led the Giants to victories in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV while earning NFL MVP honors in 1986, a rare feat for a defensive player. Additionally, he became the only defensive player ever to win AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year as a rookie.
Why is Lawrence Taylor considered so important to football history?
Taylor's impact was so profound that he fundamentally changed how defenses were constructed and how offenses had to protect their quarterbacks. His legacy is cemented by his ability to single-handedly dictate the flow of games through sheer dominance at the line of scrimmage.
What happened to Lawrence Taylor's jersey number?
The New York Giants retired his iconic number 56 in honor of his legendary contributions and status as a franchise icon. No other player is permitted to wear that number for the team, ensuring his legacy remains unique within the organization.
More in Club History & Eras
Related in New York Giants
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in the New York Giants universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record