Fansided

30 best nicknames in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 28: Jerome Bettis #36 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs against the Washington Redskins on November 28, 2004 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Redskins 16-7.(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 9: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants drills running back Lynn Cain #21 of the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium on October 14, 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Giants defeated the Falcons 19-7. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 9: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor #56 of the New York Giants drills running back Lynn Cain #21 of the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium on October 14, 1984 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Giants defeated the Falcons 19-7. (Photo by Gin Ellis/Getty Images) /

18. “L.T.” Lawrence Taylor

Whoever decided that LaDanian Tomlinson should be called L.T. was wrong- that nickname belonged to Lawrence Taylor and Lawrence Taylor only.

Taylor is the single greatest defensive player in the history of football. Upon his arrival in 1981, Taylor was one of the best players in football. He was drafted No. 2 overall in the 1981 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, and immediately began to make history. He won both the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. His impact on the Giants was instant, and he continued his dominance throughout the decade.

He was an All-Pro every year from 1981-86, and twice more in ‘88 and ‘89. He won his second consecutive Defensive Player of the Year award in 1982, and once again won the award in 1986.

When his career was done, Taylor had a long list of accolades to his credit. He was a 10-time Pro Bowler and an eight-time All-Pro. He helped the Giants win two Super Bowls and is the last defensive player to win the NFL MVP, doing so in 1986. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.

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