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Portrait of Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Julius Taylor

Lawrence Taylor, widely called the greatest defensive player in NFL history, was born in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Profession
Football player
From
Williamsburg, Virginia
Born
February 4, 1959
Years active
1981–1993

Early life

Born in Williamsburg in 1959, Taylor became an All-American linebacker at the University of North Carolina.

Career

Drafted by the New York Giants in 1981, he revolutionized the linebacker position and led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles.

Major achievements

He was the 1986 NFL MVP — one of only two defensive players to win it — and entered the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Legacy

Taylor is frequently cited as the most dominant defender the game has ever seen.

References

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