finalyear debutyear statvalue article_title finalteam draftround birth_date draftyear heightin image_size heightft number image college debutteam name statlabel caption birth_place nfl weight hof position highschool draftpick
1993 1981 1,088 132.5 9 lawrence taylor
 new york giants 1 04 february 1959 1981 3 200 6 56 lt 2009.jpg north carolina new york giants lawrence taylor tackles sacks interceptions taylor in 2009 williamsburg , virginia , united states tay508500 237 212 outside linebacker williamsburg -lrb- va -rrb- lafayette 2
lawrence taylor

lawrence julius taylor -lrb- born february 4 , 1959 -rrb- , nicknamed `` l.t. '' , is a hall of fame former american football player .
taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the new york giants -lrb- 1981 -- 1993 -rrb- in the national football league -lrb- nfl -rrb- .
he is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football , and has been ranked as the greatest defensive player in league history by former players , coaches , media members , and news outlets such as the nfl network , and `` sporting news '' .
after an all-american career at the university of north carolina -lrb- unc -rrb- -lrb- 1978 -- 1981 -rrb- , taylor was drafted by the giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 nfl draft .
although controversy surrounded the selection due to taylor 's contract demands , the two sides quickly resolved the issue .
taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season .
throughout the 1980s and early 1990s , taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker , and is credited with changing the pass rushing schemes , offensive line play , and offensive formations used in the nfl .
taylor produced double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990 , including a career high of 20.5 in 1986 .
he also won a record three defensive player of the year awards and was named the league 's most valuable player -lrb- mvp -rrb- for his performance during the 1986 season .
taylor is one of only two defensive players in the history of the nfl to have ever won the nfl mvp award .
he was named first-team all-pro in each of his first nine seasons and 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 , fellow linebackers carl banks , gary reasons , brad van pelt , brian kelley , pepper johnson , and hall of famer harry carson gave the giants linebacking corps a reputation as one of the best in the nfl .
taylor has lived a controversial lifestyle , during and after his playing career .
he admitted to using drugs such as cocaine as early as his second year in the nfl , and was suspended several times by the league for failing drug tests .
his drug abuse escalated after his retirement , and he was jailed three times for attempted drug possession .
from 1998 to 2009 , taylor lived a sober , drug-free life .
he worked as a color commentator on sporting events after his retirement , and pursued a career as an actor .
his personal life came under public scrutiny in 2011 when he pled guilty to sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old girl .
