How will the Legacy of LT Be Remembered?

If I asked you on May 5, 2010 who Lawrence Taylor was, you would probably respond that he was one of the best linebackers of all time.

You may say that he was one of the most feared players in the NFL.

You may refer to his 1,088 career tackles or 142 career sacks.

Maybe you'd think of his 10 Pro Bowls and three AP Defensive Player of the Year awards, or maybe his number 56 retired by the New York Giants.

You may even start talking about his Monday Night Football sack on Joe Theisman where he single-handedly ended Theisman's career.

But on May 7, 2010 he may now be remembered as the fading legend who raped a 16-year-old girl and could be facing years in jail if guilty.

Unfortunately, after this incident many people will forget LT the football player but remember LT the criminal.

Ask a person on the street who OJ Simpson is, and unless they are a football fan they would probably tell you he was the guy who murdered his wife and got away with it. They won't remember OJ being one of the best running backs to ever play.

Look at Pete Rose in baseball. He's been banned from the Hall of Fame and most remember him for gambling on his team. But they don't remember the 4,256 career hits—an all time record.

LT has never been the poster boy for the perfect person. He has often dealt with drug problems. He recently admitted to using up to $2 million in a year on cocaine.

Just because he may or may not have raped a girl doesn't mean we need to forget the player, which fans down the road may do.

I know I will remember Lawrence Taylor the football player, and not Lawrence Taylor the alleged criminal.

I can't write his legacy for all to follow, but hopefully through all of this people won't forget the player.

It would be a shame to forget the best to play defense in the NFL.