Lawrence Taylor: 10 Ways the All-Time Great Can Remake His Public Image
Lawrence Taylor appeared in a New York court earlier today to attempt to have his rape case dismissed, claiming that police did not have a warrant when he was arrested.
In June, the former NFL star was indicted on several charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a 16-year-old girl, including rape, sexual abuse, criminal sexual act, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child.
But Taylor's lawyer filed a motion this morning, maintaining that Taylor's arrest violated his civil rights because police illegally searched his hotel room at a Holiday Inn in Ramapo, New York.
As of this writing, the case appears to be headed for trial.
These are some of the most serious allegations we've ever seen directed toward an athlete, and there will be tons of questions about Taylor's character until he is proved innocent in a court of law—if/when that happens—and even afterward.
Needless to say, Taylor's image has taken a huge hit in the eye of the public.
But what exactly can the former football great do to change the public's perception of him?
Here are 10 ways Taylor can remake his public image.
10. Work with the WWE Again
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I know what you're thinking: What the hell am I talking about, right?
Hear me out.
Lawrence Taylor famously wrestled Bam Bam Bigelow in the main event of WrestleMania in a one-off appearance with the company.
Well, since then the WWE has brought in several notable names with prior run-ins with the law to host Monday Night Raw, including Pee-wee Herman and Mike Tyson.
Thanks to its new PG era, the WWE is one of the most kid-friendly companies in the country right now, and Taylor has past ties with the organization.
If Tyson and Herman can appear on Raw, Taylor certainly can too.
Believe it or not, it just might help with the public's perception of him.
9. Use Social Media to His Advantage
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Social media is everywhere.
From Twitter to blogs to Facebook, the world revolves around these Internet tools.
They're more than tools for just random quotes or sayings—they can be used to repair one's public image as well.
Taylor should create a Facebook profile, learn how to tweet and do whatever it takes to get in touch with his fanbase.
Talk to them, consult with them and help them see the side of Lawrence Taylor that isn't a monster.
It will go a long way toward showing people that he too is a human being.
8. Act
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Once upon a time, Lawrence Taylor had somewhat of an acting career.
He played himself on HBO's The Sopranos and in the Adam Sandler film The Waterboy, but his most notable role came when he appeared in the Oliver Stone drama Any Given Sunday.
Starring alongside Hollywood stalwarts Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Dennis Quaid and Al Pacino, Taylor portrayed a character similar to himself in the famous flick.
So why not try to do more of that? It can't hurt.
At worst, Taylor won't get any roles.
At best, he'll make people see that he's found a new dedication in life that doesn't involve powdery white substances or underage girls.
Taylor just might make people forget about his past transgressions.
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7. Hire a Publicist
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After doing a bit of research, it doesn't appear that Lawrence Taylor has a publicist.
Thus the most logical step in Taylor's image-rebuilding process should be to hire one.
Publicists are trained to shape, mold and even create new images for their clients, specifically ones who are caught up in bad situations that can destroy their reputations seemingly overnight.
Taylor certainly wouldn't be the first (former) athlete to go this route, and he obviously won't be the last.
That's what publicists are there for.
Athletes have resources that the ordinary citizen will never have, and this is one of them.
The first thing Taylor should do is hire a "spin doctor" who has the abilities to restore his credibility, which diminishes every day that this situation drags on.
6. If He's Guilty, Then Admit It
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This may seem contradictory because Lawrence Taylor's image will be irreparably broken if he is indeed found guilty of these heinous crimes.
But if he is in fact not innocent, then he needs to admit it to spare the feelings of the underage girl and her family.
It's unfair to make a girl who should be worrying about what dress to wear to prom tremble as she testifies in the case against him.
It clearly seems like this girl has had a rough life already, and this situation is only making it worse.
If Taylor has a single shred of respect for human life, he won't try to to lie his way to freedom.
He'll stand up in court, admit to having sex with an underage girl, serve his time and then try like hell to make people understand.
Taylor will still forever be loathed by most people in the public eye, but at least he'll have shown one ounce of decency in the process.
5. Start with a Clean Slate
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If life had a vacuum cleaner, I'd love to see Lawrence Taylor use it.
He'd take it out, plug it in and suck all the dirt, grime and scum out of his life.
Taylor doesn't need it, his family certainly doesn't need it and even the NFL doesn't need another blemish on the organization's record.
In other words, Taylor needs to clean house.
Because getting rid of all that would be the smartest thing he's ever done.
Whatever kind of negative influences are in Taylor's life should be kicked to the curb and thrown out with yesterday's garbage.
4. Stay Out of Trouble
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Lawrence Taylor has had multiple behavioral issues since the start of his NFL career.
He's had several run-ins with the law—from two unreported accidents to the latest rape case—and he had a well-documented cocaine problem in the past.
Taylor referred to that version of himself as "LT," saying that he's no longer the person he was during that time of his life.
Talk is cheap. He needs to prove it to his fans, his family and, most importantly, himself.
The best way to change his image is to truly change.
Taylor shouldn't even put himself in situations where trouble lurks.
If you're invited to a party where drugs are involved, skip it.
If you're caught in another situation that could jeopardize your reputation or your freedom, then hightail out of there.
You have too much to lose and nothing to gain.
3. Give Back to the Game of Football
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Granted, it isn't going to be easy for Lawrence Taylor to give back to the sport of football's lower levels.
He basically threw any chance of coaching high school or peewee football out the window when he was arrested over the summer.
But Taylor is one of the best linebackers in NFL history, and he has a wealth of knowledge to share with guys at the college and professional levels.
It doesn't matter what he does—he can volunteer to speak to young players about off the field issues, he can try to find a spot as a linebackers coach or a defensive assistant, or he can work as an ambassador for the league.
Regardless of what Taylor chooses to do, though, he must makes amends for even being caught up in a situation like this.
What that entails is up to him, but it has to be something that can remind fans why he was ever beloved in the football community.
2. Show Remorse
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Michael Vick has transformed from deplorable villain to beloved hero—to some people at least—over the course of the NFL season.
Why?
Aside from his stellar play on the field, Vick has shown true remorse for his actions.
He's worked closely with the Humane Society, and he's supported animal rights activism since his release from prison.
If Lawrence Taylor wants to follow in Vick's footsteps and be forgiven, then he needs to pull a page out of the Vick playbook.
It would be wise for Taylor to speak out against sexual abuse, domestic violence or anything and everything having to do with violent sex crimes.
Show that you actually have regret, Lawrence.
Not just because it will repair your image, but because you mean it.
1. Be Found Innocent
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Stating the obvious here, but if Lawrence Taylor is found guilty of these horrific acts, it's over.
No more fans will cheer the name "LT," no more NFL analysts will compare a linebacker prospect to Taylor and never again will his name be mentioned in the same sentence with the phrase "Hall of Fame."
Lawrence Taylor will be a ghost in NFL annals.
But if he's found innocent, he'll see just how forgiving some people can be.
Sports fans have continually done it in the past, and that's not going to change.
If an athlete is found to be innocent of a crime, he'll be forgiven.
It'll be hard—and he won't be forgiven by everyone—but it will happen.
After all, the phrase is "innocent until proven guilty" for a reason.
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