Lawrence Taylor Childhood

Lawrence Julius Taylor was born on February 4, 1959 in Williamsburg, VA. He is the son of Iris and Clarence Taylor. One of the best football players of all time didn’t play the sport growing up. His mother was worried about the physicality of the sport so instead Lawrence played baseball and was part of his church’s choir. Although he was an all-star catcher in his youth, he didn’t play it long after getting to high school.

Lawrence Taylor High School Stats and Awards

LT attended Lafayette High School. Taylor didn’t start playing football until after his sophomore year. His late start limited his opportunities at getting more scholarship offers. Taylor would accept one from the University of North Carolina.

Lawrence Taylor College Stats and Notes

LT played for UNC from 1977-80. He played on the defensive line for two years before shifting to linebacker. He totaled 192 tackles, 21 sacks, 10 forced fumbles and 2 INTs during his college career. He helped the Tar Heels reach 3 bowl games. In 1980, Taylor was a unanimous All-American selection and the ACC Player of the Year.

Lawrence Taylor NFL Career Stats and Notes

Taylor was selected 2nd overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. From his rookie season, Taylor made an immediate impact on the league forever. Never before was there a linebacker his size that had his quickness and agility. He made team’s game plan their offenses around stopping him. He is the only player in NFL history to win Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year at the same time. He terrorized offenses during the 80s, the menacing force behind the best decade of New York Giants’ football.

LT played his entire 13-year legendary career in New York, making 10 Pro Bowls and selected to First Team All-Pro eight times. LT retired after the 1993 season and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

Lawrence Taylor 1986 NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Season

LT is considered one of the greatest and most feared linebackers of all time. He redefined the outside linebacker position as offenses had to game plan their scheme around stopping him. In 1986, his reputation was cemented with a legendary defensive season.

Taylor wreaked havoc all season on opposing offenses. He set a new NFL record with 20.5 sacks, unheard of from any position especially at linebacker. He led the Giants to a 14-2 regular season record, tied for best in the league. After trouncing the 49ers and Redskins, the Giants won their first ever Super Bowl by thrashing the Denver Broncos 39-20 in Super Bowl XXI. Taylor became the second player in NFL history to be named NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.