Lawrence Taylor #56

Without a doubt Lawrence Taylor is the best linebacker who has ever played in the NFL. Many consider him the best defensive player in the history of the game others even go as far as mentioning his name with the greatest players regardless of position.

L.T. revolutionized the linebacker position in the early 1980′s with his speed, strength and intelligence. He made it common practice to swat at the ball in order to create turnovers by opposing players who feared him. He not only changed how defense was played but also how offenses would approach playing him. They had to account for #56 and adjust their game plans and alignments.

Lawrence Taylor College and NFL Star

L.T. played his college ball at The University of North Carolina where he was an All American, he was drafted by the NY Giants as the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. His years with New York were full of success both as an individual but also as part of great Giants teams which won Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV under his leadership. He was named as the NFL MVP in 1986 after recording 20.5 sacks. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year three times.

Lawrence Taylor Off the Field

His life on and off the field is full of accomplishments but also controversy. Lawrence Taylor has had a very published and talked about addiction with narcotics, specifically cocaine. His battle has been well documented but this in no way has affected or tarnished his place in NFL history, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. A well liked player during and after his career, Taylor has moved from the field to the big screen starring in featured films and TV shows.

He was a big hit on Dancing with the Stars along side his beautiful dance partner Edyta Śliwińska, unfortunately L.T. was eliminated in week seven. When it comes to being in front of the camera Lawrence has had appearances in  films such as “Any Given Sunday”, “Shaft” and “The Waterboy”. Television appearances include a spot on “The Sopranos” where he played himself and he has also worked as a commentator for TNT Sunday Night Football which never took off. Taylor also appeared in Wrestle Mania where he fought and defeated Bam Bam Bigalow and hosted a show called “Toughman” on FX. He is in the process of furthering his acting career and has some undisclosed projects coming up to a big or small screen near you.

After his playing career L.T. started a company called All-Pro Products which instantly became profitable after going public, the stock tripled within the very first month. The initial value was in the millions but the stock then plummeted and it was later discovered that LT had been defrauded by Hanover Sterling & Company a penny stock firm who short sold the stock and lead the company to its demise.

Lawrence Taylor has lived a wild live during and after his NFL career, he admitted to having affairs with prostitutes and even admitted to sending prostitutes to opposing players during his career in order to get them tired for the next days game. These days it seems this great former NFL star has toned it down more than a bit and has successfully over come his addiction to cocaine. He has been clean since 1998 and has remarried for a third time. When he isn’t working you can find #56 at the golf course perfecting his favorite hobby.

Many players have been compared to L.T., Ray Lewis for example plays with the same intensity, others like Ladainian Tomlinson bare his initials and nick name but there will never be another Lawrence Taylor!