former American football
player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker
for the New York Giants
in the National Football League
(NFL). He is considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of football, and has been ranked as the top 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-America
n career at the University of North Carolina
(UNC) (1978–1981), Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft
.
It's not a moment I want to remember, or see again.
::—regarding his tackle of Joe Theismann|Joe Theismann that ended Theismann's career.
The demons will always be there, Always. But you know, (hard breath) you can always fight demons.
::—on his drug addiction problems.
Let's go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs and have some fun.
Lawrence Taylor, defensively, has had as big an impact as any player I've ever seen. He changed the way defense is played, the way pass-rushing is played, the way linebackers play and the way offenses block linebackers.
::—John Madden|John Madden
As a freshman playing on special teams, he'd jump a good six or seven feet in the air to block a punt, then land on the back of his neck. He was reckless, just reckless.
::—North Carolina assistant coach Bobby Cale.