Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor is an American former professional football linebacker who played for the New York Giants from 1981 to 1993. His speed, power, and pass-rushing ability reshaped expectations for the outside linebacker position.

Connect

Bill Parcells: Bill Parcells is an American football coach who led the New York Giants from 1983 to 1990. Parcells built the Giants defenses in which Taylor became their defining player.
1986 New York Giants season: The New York Giants’ 1986 season ended with a victory in Super Bowl XXI. Taylor won his second NFL Defensive Player of the Year award during this championship season.
Outside linebacker: An outside linebacker is a defensive player positioned outside the defensive line in formations with linebackers. Taylor made this position a central source of pass pressure, not just run defense.
NFL Most Valuable Player Award: The NFL Most Valuable Player Award is an annual honor for the league’s most valuable regular-season player. Taylor won the award in 1986, an unusual honor for a defensive player.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university in North Carolina. Taylor played college football there before entering the NFL.
Harry Carson: Harry Carson is a former American football linebacker who played for the New York Giants from 1976 to 1988. Carson and Taylor anchored the linebacking corps of the Giants’ championship defenses.
1986 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award: The 1986 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award was given to Lawrence Taylor. It capped a season in which Taylor led the league’s defense to a Super Bowl title.
Pass rush: A pass rush is a defense’s attempt to pressure or sack the quarterback before a pass is thrown. Taylor’s speed and strength helped make edge pressure a defining defensive weapon.
Pro Football Hall of Fame: The Pro Football Hall of Fame is a museum and honor roll recognizing figures in professional American football. Taylor was inducted in 1999, affirming his place among the sport’s leading players.
1979 North Carolina Tar Heels football team: The 1979 North Carolina Tar Heels football team represented the University of North Carolina during the 1979 college season. Taylor’s college performance established him as a leading NFL prospect.