Lawrence Taylor Arrested: Inside his Checkered Past

The latest accusations that former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor raped a 16-year-old girl in a New York hotel are another black mark on L.T.'s personal life. Since the Hall of Fame linebacker retired in 1993, and even times during his career, he has battled numerous legal troubles that have challenged not only his livelihood but his freedom as well.

The fresh legal trouble stands to be the worst Taylor has faced, but running into the problems with the law is nothing new. It has been a near 25-year battle to keep his nose clean, literally and figuratively, but L.T. now appears to be in the largest fight of all. Before he heads to court in this newest incident, here is a look back at L.T.'s previous battles.

February 14, 1986

It was the first time Taylor attempted to clean up. He headed to a drug rehab clinic following the 1986 season where he was expected to stay for six weeks. Instead, Taylor stayed for one. Six weeks later, Taylor publicly acknowledged he sought help for his drug addiction.

August 29, 1988

Due to his cocaine use, Taylor received a four-game suspension for a second violation of the NFL's drug policy.

March 1989

L.T. failed a field sobriety test when he was found asleep behind the wheel on the Garden State Parkway. Six weeks later, however, he was acquitted of drunk driving charges.

September 20, 1995

Taylor had already retired from football, but he still boiled over with the press when he reportedly tried to choke a reporter after a Giants practice.

April 16, 1996

L.T.'s driver's license was suspended for unpaid parking tickets in Newark, N.J.

May 3, 1996

L.T. made his first of really ugly headlines when he was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for attempting to buy crack from an undercover police officer. Taylor, who was in town for a celebrity golf tournament, avoided criminal charges in exchange for 60 hours of community service.

June 4, 1997

Taylor plead guilty to filing false tax returns from 1990, including failing to report $48,000 worth of income from his former bar & grille in East Rutherford, N.J., just up the road from Giants Stadium.

May 13, 1998

Taylor was arrested in his New Jersey home failing to pay child support payments. He served 10 hours in jails while a friend paid a $6,000 fine in back payments.

October 19, 1998

Taylor is pinched again for trying to buy drugs from an undercover police officer. This time in Florida, L.T. is arrested for trying to buy $50 worth of crack cocaine and for drug paraphernalia possession.

November 2009

L.T. was arrested in Miami, Florida for leaving the scene of a car accident.

May 6, 2010

Taylor is arrested in a suburban New York hotel for allegations of third-degree rape of a 16-year-old girl and solicitation of a prostitute. His court date is set for June 10.