Unfortunate Lawrence Taylor News Emerges on Friday

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Unfortunate Lawrence Taylor News Emerges on Friday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Will Chesanek | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 3:42 PM ET

Lawrence Taylor spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the New York Giants. As soon as Taylor stepped into the league, he dominated. As a rookie, the 6-foot-3 defensive lineman won the first of his three Defensive Player of the Year Awards (1981, 1982, 1986) and was named to the first of his eight first-team All-Pro teams.

From winning two Super Bowls (1986, 1990) under legendary head coach Bill Parcells to being the last defensive player to win the NFL MVP Award (1986), Taylor is considered one of the greatest NFL players of all time. The Hall of Famer ended his career with 132.5 sacks and forced 33 fumbles.

Former New York Giants star Lawrence TaylorTony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Also notable about the North Carolina Tar Heel graduate was his debauched lifestyle. With stories like drinking 41 beers on draft night and not remembering the event, the Giants taking out a $2 million life insurance policy on him in his rookie season, and ample stories of substances and women, Taylor seemingly laid it all out on the line on the field and off it.

Regardless of personal struggles, Taylor is a charismatic man who meant a lot to his fans, teammates, and former coaches. Taylor has acknowledged his substance abuse issues, saying his choices have impacted his health later in life. On Friday, TMZ reported that Taylor, 67, was hospitalized due to a medical emergency. He was rushed to a hospital in New Jersey.

EXCLUSIVE: Lawrence Taylor is hospitalized after a medical emergency.

Details: https://t.co/o1wM0Gcu5y pic.twitter.com/zWSLzH1tsL
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 24, 2026