Lawrence Taylor Net Worth (2024)
Lifestyle | Bio | Facts [UPDATED]

Lawrence Julius Taylor, commonly known as L.T., is an American professional football player. He’s considered one of the best linebackers in the history of football. For 12 years of his football career, he played for the New York Giants (1981-1993) in the National Football League (NFL). 

He is indeed loyal to his football team.

Let’s backtrack a little bit…

In 1978, Lawrence Julius Taylor entered football in his 11th Grade at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC). Even though he was named one of the best linebackers, did you know that he first played football as a defensive lineman before being moved to outside linebacker?

Yes, you read that right…

With his great size and speed, Taylor excelled as a linebacker. After three years, he then entered the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New York Giants and listed as the second overall pick in the 1981 National Football League Draft. Thus, it was when his professional career started.

Not only that…

Despite being new in the league in his rookie year, he is considered one of the best in National FootBall history. Taylor won the 1981’s NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of Year. And until this day, no one beat his record as the only rookie to win the mentioned award.

With their win against the Denver Broncos in 1986 Super Bowl XXI, he led the league with 20.5 sacks, and Taylor won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NFL. Because of the award, he became the second and last defensive player to receive the mentioned award. 

Amazing, right?

You may be wondering how Taylor feels about this success, so here’s a catch. Taylor felt down rather than thrilled and jubilant. He even said:

“When the Super Bowl was over … Everyone was so excited, but by then, I felt deflated. I’d won every award, had my best season, finally won the Super Bowl. I was on top of the world, right? So what could be next? Nothing. The thrill is the chase to get to the top. Every day the excitement builds and builds and builds, and then when you’re finally there, and the game is over … And then, nothing.”

Moving on…

In 1988, when the team, New York Giants, was aiming to get their championship, the controversy started to bombard Taylor’s life. This begins as Taylor tested positive for cocaine and was suspected by the league for thirty days.

Not only that…

It was also revealed that this was his second violation of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. It was disclosed that the first result in 1987 had been kept private. He was kept away from the press during this period and checked himself into rehab.

In his career, Taylor had a reputation for playing despite having pain. In fact, in the 1983 game that he had, his team’s training staff had to hide his helmet to prevent the injured Taylor from continuing the game. 

Funny right? But it is indeed inspirational.

Everything has its ending, so is his football career…

As to the football career of Taylor, it was the year 1994 when he had his retirement into the league. Taylor was caught crying as Taylor played his last game as he announced his retirement at the post-game press conference. He said,

“I think it’s time for me to retire. I’ve done everything I can do. I’ve been to Super Bowls. I’ve been to playoffs. I’ve done things that other people haven’t been able to do in this game before. After 13 years, it’s time for me to go.”