Lawrence Taylor's Two MVP Awards
The only defensive player to win NFL MVP in 1986, alongside Alan Page.
Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is an American former professional football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons with the New York Giants. He is widely regarded as the greatest defensive player of all time – and considered by some as the best football player ever.
Lore & Background
Taylor was selected by the Giants second overall in the 1981 NFL draft. He was named both the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1981 and the only NFL player to win the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in his rookie season. Taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career-high of 20.5 in 1986. He won a record three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards (since tied by J. J. Watt and Aaron Donald), and was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He and Alan Page (1971) are the only defensive players in league history to earn the award.
Reader's Guide
Taylor was a key member of the Giants' defense, nicknamed the "Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to victories in 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 earned the Giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the NFL, along with the nickname "Crunch Bunch."
Did You Know?
- Taylor was named First-team All-Pro in eight of his first ten seasons, and Second-team All-Pro in the other two.
- He inadvertently caused a compound fracture of the right leg of quarterback Joe Theismann.
- Taylor was suspended for 30 days in 1988 by the league for failing drug tests.
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