In celebration of the league’s 100th season this year, the NFL has begun the release of its All-Time Team recognizing its greatest players ever.
On Friday, it was revealed that former UNC linebacker Lawrence Taylor was voted to the roster unanimously by a panel of 26 league executives, coaches, players and team personnel. Another former Tar Heel great, defensive end Julius Peppers, was one of 12 finalists at his position but did not make the final cut.
Widely regarded as the greatest defensive player of all time, Taylor starred for the Tar Heels in the late 1970’s and was a consensus All-American in 1980 before being drafted second overall by the New York Giants in the 1981 NFL Draft.
Taylor would go on to play 13 years for the Giants, racking up 132.5 career sacks–not including the 9.5 he had as a rookie before sacks were officially recorded. He made an NFL record 10 consecutive Pro Bowls from 1981-90 and remains the last defensive player to win the MVP, which he did in 1986 after a season in which he recorded a career-high 20.5 sacks and led the Giants to a Super Bowl championship.
New York also won a second Super Bowl with Taylor leading the way in 1990.
The native of Williamsburg, Virginia was eventually inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Taylor’s No. 98 is retired at UNC, just like his No. 56 is in New York.
To see more of the selections for the NFL’s All-Time Team, click here.
Photo via UNC Athletics
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