The New York Giants got some good news about an all-time great Tuesday.
Lawrence Taylor, a Hall of Fame football player and Giants great, was released from the hospital Monday where he was being treated for pancreatitis.
Taylor, of course, played his entire 13-season NFL career with the Giants. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and was voted league MVP in the team’s first Super Bowl-championship year of 1986.
TMZ and USA Today reported that Taylor was admitted for a non-threatening stomach issue in late April. He had been treated for pancreatitis since April 23.
Lawrence Taylor was Released From the Hospital
According to TMZ, the 67-year-old Taylor had been in New Jersey at Morristown Medical Center battling the stomach issue. But according to his lawyer, Mark Eiglarsh, he was released Tuesday.
“[Taylor] is deeply grateful to the entire medical staff for their exceptional care and unwavering support,” Eiglarsh said, according to The Athletic. “Also, he is grateful to now be on the road to recovery and hopes to be back on the golf course soon. He is returning home to Florida today.”
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, a small gland in the stomach. Pancreatitis is usually caused by heavy alcohol consumption, gall stones or drug use.
Lawrence Taylor Remains a Lightning Rod off the Field
Taylor has long battled addiction. He was twice suspended by the NFL for failing drug tests during his playing days then went to rehab in 1995 and was arrested multiple times for trying to buy crack cocaine from a police officer after he retired.
Plus, in 2010, he was arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor and is a registered sex offender according to a plea agreement in 2011. According to The Athletic, he was in hot water for failing update his address and register after he recently moved.
Still, Taylor has long been beloved by Giants fans. His exceptional on-field play helped the Giants win their first two Super Bowls, Super Bowl XXI vs the Denver Broncos and their upset win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV.
Taylor made the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 NFL seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in nine of his first 10 seasons. He retired after the 1993 NFL season, his No. 56 was retired by the Giants on Oct. 10, 1994 and Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1999.
Aside from his on-field play, Giants fans have also appreciated Taylor’s self-reflective demeanor amid his growing number of off-field controversies. He has been open about his struggles with drug use and highly public attempts at sobriety even amid his legal woes.
So Eiglarsh acknowledged that the well wishes and support from Giants fans pushed Taylor during his hospital stint.
“Mr. Taylor would also like to sincerely thank everyone for the outpouring of love, support and prayers,” Eiglarsh said. “Knowing that so many people were thinking of him and praying for his recovery gave him strength and helped carry him through a very challenging time.”
Giants Get Good News About All-Time Great’s Health