New York football fans got a scare Friday when Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor, one of the most dominant defenders in NFL history, was taken to a New Jersey hospital after a medical emergency. People close to the 67-year-old say the situation does not appear to be severe and that he may be discharged soon.
Early accounts say Taylor was first brought into the emergency room, then moved to another area of the hospital, according to TMZ Sports.
Giants Icon And Career In Brief
Taylor entered the league as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft and quickly became the face of the Giants defense. He helped lead New York to two Super Bowl titles and captured the league MVP award in 1986, achievements documented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Those honors helped cement Taylor as one of the most feared and influential linebackers the game has ever seen, a player who changed how offenses had to scheme just to keep their quarterbacks upright.
Health History And Recent Appearances
Since retiring, Taylor has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and other health issues, even as he has remained a visible presence at public and charity events.
As noted by the New York Post, he was on hand in December at Pier 60 in Manhattan for a Team of Heroes event, appearing alongside Ottis Anderson and Darryl Strawberry.
What Officials Say And Next Steps
As of Friday afternoon, neither the Giants nor representatives for Taylor had issued an official statement about his condition or what triggered the emergency.
Media reports indicate he could be released from the hospital soon. That account, including the assessment that Taylor's condition does not appear to be serious, was described by TMZ Sports.
For now, fans across New York and New Jersey are in wait-and-see mode, hoping that one of the Giants' all-time greats is back on his feet as quickly as he once came off the edge.
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