Lawrence Julius Taylor (born February 4, 1959), nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame (Pro Football Hall of Fame) 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 called the greatest defensive player of all time by members of the media, former players, and coaches.

After an All-American career at the University of North Carolina (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) (UNC) (1978-1981), Taylor was drafted by the Giants as the second overall selection in the 1981 NFL Draft. Although controversy surrounded the selection due to Taylors contract demands, the two sides quickly resolved the issue. Taylor won several defensive awards after his rookie season. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is widely considered to have changed the pass rushing schemes, offensive line play, and offensive formations used in the NFL. Taylor produced double-digit sacks (Quarterback sack) each season from 1984 through 1990, including a career high of 20.5 in 1986. He also won a record three Defensive Player of the Year (NFL Defensive Player of the Year) awards and was named the leagues Most Valuable Player (NFL MVP) (MVP) for his performance during the 1986 season. He was named First-team All-Pro in each of his first nine seasons and was a key member of the Giants defense, nicknamed "The Big Blue Wrecking Crew", that led New York to victories in Super Bowl XXI and XXV (Super Bowl XXV). During the 1980s Taylor, DE Leonard Marshall, and fellow linebackers Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, and Hall of Famer Harry Carson gave the Giants linebacking corps and overall defense a reputation as one of the best in the NFL.

Taylor had a controversial lifestyle, during and after his playing career. He admitted to using addictive drugs such as cocaine as early as his second year in the NFL, and was suspended several times by the league for failing drug tests. His drug abuse escalated after his retirement, and he was jailed three times for attempted drug possession. From 1998 to 2009, Taylor lived a cleaned a sober, drug-free life. He worked as a color commentator on sporting events for several years after his retirement and, as of 2009, was pursuing a career as an actor. His personal life came up again in a negative fashion in 2009 when he was charged in Florida with leaving the scene of an accident and in 2010 when he was charged with the statutory rape of a 16-year old prostitute.