Lawrence Taylor, a legendary figure in NFL history and former Giants star, has been arrested once again in Florida for an offense he was previously accused of three years ago. Taylor, 65, turned himself in to authorities in Broward County on Wednesday, facing a charge of failing to report a name or residence change as a sex offender, as reported by TMZ. He was released early Thursday morning.
Taylor’s attorney, Mark Eiglarsh, has maintained his client’s innocence, stating, “My client, Lawrence Taylor, will be pleading ‘Not Guilty’ to the recent charges.” Eiglarsh emphasized that Taylor did not knowingly commit any criminal offense and described the situation as a significant misunderstanding. He expressed confidence that the exculpatory evidence would demonstrate Taylor’s innocence, leading to a favorable outcome for the former NFL star.
In 2021, Taylor faced a similar charge for not notifying authorities of an address change. At that time, his attorney called the arrest a “mix-up,” and the case was resolved when Taylor pled no contest to a lesser charge of residency restriction for persons convicted of certain sex offenses.
Taylor’s legal troubles extend beyond these recent incidents. He has faced multiple arrests for drug-related charges throughout his post-playing career, including a DUI arrest in 2016. During his playing career, Taylor struggled with substance abuse, regularly using cocaine and attempting to pass drug tests by using his teammates’ urine. He failed two drug tests in 1987 and 1988, subsequently attending drug rehab twice in 1995 and being arrested multiple times for attempting to buy narcotics.
Despite these challenges, Taylor’s football legacy remains remarkable. A Hall of Famer and eight-time All-Pro, he is widely regarded as the greatest player in Giants history and arguably one of the greatest players in NFL history. Taylor’s on-field achievements have solidified his status as a football icon, even as his off-field issues continue to cast a shadow over his storied career.
As Taylor navigates these latest legal challenges, the football community and his fans watch closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow him to move forward from a history of legal and personal struggles.
