Lawrence Taylor Rookie Season
The disruptive force who changed the game and won MVP as a defensive player.
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.
Quick Facts
- Award
- NFL Rookie of the Year (AP, UPI)
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.
Reader's Guide
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.
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 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.
- Taylor inadvertently caused a compound fracture of the right leg of quarterback Joe Theismann.
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