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

Related Stories
‹
Five Tar Heels Sign NFL Contracts as Undrafted Free Agents
A total of five UNC football players signed contracts with NFL teams as undrafted free agents following Saturday’s conclusion of the 2020 NFL Draft. Tight end Jake Bargas and safety Myles Dorn each agreed to deals with the Minnesota Vikings,  while running back Antonio Williams earned a spot in camp with the Buffalo Bills. In […]
Mack Brown, Julius Peppers Among Inductees For NC Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020
A trio of Tar Heel legends are among the 12 inductees for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020, as Mack Brown, Julius Peppers and former UNC track coach Dennis Craddock will be enshrined during the 57th annual banquet on May 1 at the Raleigh Convention Center.  The entire class consists of Debbie Antonelli, Muggsy Bogues, Brown, […]
Julius Peppers Selected as Part of 2019 ACC Legends Class
The ACC revealed its 2019 Legends Class for football on Wednesday, with UNC represented this year by one of the greatest to ever hone their craft in Chapel Hill–defensive end Julius Peppers. Peppers played at UNC from 1999-2001 and was a unanimous First Team All-American as a junior. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award as […]
Former UNC Linebacker Kareem Martin Signs With New York Giants
The New York Giants bolstered their linebacking corps Thursday with the addition of former Tar Heel Kareem Martin, who had previously spent the first four years of his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Reports from ESPN’s Jordan Raanan have the deal worth three years and $21 million, with $7.5 million guaranteed. A native of Roanoke […]
Here’s a Complete Rundown of Every UNC Football Player Named to a 2026 Award Watch List
As we approach the 2026 college football season, several Tar Heels have been named to watch lists for national awards. Check out the complete rundown below, and check back in throughout the season to see an updated list! RB Demon June — Doak Walker Award As a true freshman in 2025, June emerged as one […]
What's Playing for Bobby Petrino Like? Tar Heels Discuss New Offensive Coordinator
The 2026 season will be Bobby Petrino’s first as UNC’s offensive coordinator. Petrino will look to revitalize a unit which struggled for most of the 2025 season, finishing 16th out of 17 teams in the ACC in scoring and dead last in yardage. Petrino most recently coached at Arkansas, and though the Razorbacks endured a […]
'Let's Fulfill That Obligation': UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts, Preparing for Another Year
UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts discusses many of the issues facing Carolina ahead of the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Chansky's Notebook: Carolina Conundrum
There is no question Mike Lombardi will lose his job as football general manager and leave Chapel Hill, writes Art Chansky.
The Morning News: Chatham Residents Fight Pipeline, Breadman's Shut Down, Steve Belichick on Medical Leave
Chatham County residents speak out against a proposed natural gas pipeline, and an iconic Chapel Hill restaurant is abruptly shuttered.
UNC Football Ramping Up Intensity as Fall Training Camp Hits 1-Week Mark
Thursday morning marked one week of UNC’s fall training camp, and head coach Bill Belichick said the team has been steadily ramping up the intensity of its sessions. Wednesday was the Tar Heels’ first day of practice in pads, as the “acclimation period” portion of camp comes to an end. “The competition really starts this […]
›