Lawrence Taylor Timeline

NFL Hall o Famer Lawrence Taylor timeline.

College Standout - Lawrence Taylor was a star linebacker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Taylor recorded 16 sacks his last season with the Tar Heels and was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

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College Standout - Lawrence Taylor was a star linebacker at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Taylor recorded 16 sacks his last season with the Tar Heels and was selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

1981 NFL Draft - The New York Giants selected Lawrence Taylor with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. Taylor not only won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award but was also the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

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1981 NFL Draft - The New York Giants selected Lawrence Taylor with the second overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft. Taylor not only won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award but was also the NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

Ending A Legend's Career - In November 1985, Lawrence Taylor sacked Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, viciously breaking his leg and ending his career. The play would go down as one of the most gruesome injures in sports history.

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Ending A Legend's Career - In November 1985, Lawrence Taylor sacked Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann, viciously breaking his leg and ending his career. The play would go down as one of the most gruesome injures in sports history.

Checking Into Rehab - Lawrence Taylor checked himself into a drug rehabilitation program in February 1986. He later admitted in his autobiography, “LT: Living on the Edge,” that he swapped his urine sample with a teammate in order to hide his cocaine use.

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Checking Into Rehab - Lawrence Taylor checked himself into a drug rehabilitation program in February 1986. He later admitted in his autobiography, “LT: Living on the Edge,” that he swapped his urine sample with a teammate in order to hide his cocaine use.

Super Bowl Champs - The New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, the first of two championships for Lawrence Taylor. Taylor and the Giants also won Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills.

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Super Bowl Champs - The New York Giants defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI, the first of two championships for Lawrence Taylor. Taylor and the Giants also won Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills.

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Testing Positive For Drugs - Lawrence Taylor was suspended four games in August 1988 for violating the NFL’s drug-abuse policy. It was the second violation for Taylor, who tested positive for cocaine.

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Testing Positive For Drugs - Lawrence Taylor was suspended four games in August 1988 for violating the NFL’s drug-abuse policy. It was the second violation for Taylor, who tested positive for cocaine.

Stepping Away From Football - Lawrence Taylor retired from the NFL in 1994. In his career, Taylor recorded 132.5 sacks and nine interceptions in 13 seasons.

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Stepping Away From Football - Lawrence Taylor retired from the NFL in 1994. In his career, Taylor recorded 132.5 sacks and nine interceptions in 13 seasons.

Arrested For Drugs - Lawrence Taylor entered drug rehab twice in 1995 and was eventually arrested in May 1996 for trying to buy crack from an undercover police officer. He was sentenced to 60 hours of community service.

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Arrested For Drugs - Lawrence Taylor entered drug rehab twice in 1995 and was eventually arrested in May 1996 for trying to buy crack from an undercover police officer. He was sentenced to 60 hours of community service.

Inducted In Hall of Fame - Despite his troubles off the field, Lawrence Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.

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Inducted In Hall of Fame - Despite his troubles off the field, Lawrence Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.

Taylor Sentenced For Tax Evasion - In April 2000, Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to three months house arrest and five years of probation for tax evasion. Taylor pleaded guilty in June 1997 for failing to report $48,000 in income.

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Taylor Sentenced For Tax Evasion - In April 2000, Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to three months house arrest and five years of probation for tax evasion. Taylor pleaded guilty in June 1997 for failing to report $48,000 in income.

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Arrested For Hit-And-Run - In November 2009, Lawrence Taylor was arrested in Miami for leaving the scene of a crime following a hit-and-run accident. Taylor was released on $500 bond.

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Arrested For Hit-And-Run - In November 2009, Lawrence Taylor was arrested in Miami for leaving the scene of a crime following a hit-and-run accident. Taylor was released on $500 bond.

Dancing Star - In 2009, Lawrence Taylor competed on the hit television show "Dancing With the Stars." He made it to the 7th round before being eliminated.

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Dancing Star - In 2009, Lawrence Taylor competed on the hit television show "Dancing With the Stars." He made it to the 7th round before being eliminated.

Taylor Arrested For Sexual Assault - On May 6, 2010, Lawrence Taylor was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a New York hotel room. The 16-year-old girl was a runaway who was brought to the room by a pimp.

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Taylor Arrested For Sexual Assault - On May 6, 2010, Lawrence Taylor was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a New York hotel room. The 16-year-old girl was a runaway who was brought to the room by a pimp.