Former Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor’s unique combination of strength and speed made him one of the most dominant and freakish players ever in the NFL. Nicknamed “L.T.,” Taylor had 20.5 sacks in 1986, a year in which he won the MVP, making him the second defensive player to ever win the award. A Williamsburg, Virginia native, the 6-foot-3, 237-pound Taylor played at the University of North Carolina before being chosen second overall by the Giants in 1981. As an outside linebacker, Taylor was unlike any player before him. He was unusually disruptive to offenses because in pass protection he was too big, strong, and quick to be blocked by a running back, and his athleticism enabled him to single-handedly squash traditional running plays. During his 13-year career, which Taylor played entirely with New York, he was an eight-time All-Pro, made 10 Pro Bowls, and led the Giants defense to two Super Bowl titles.