Draft day provides an unforgettable memory for many NFL stars.
From those who go as first overall picks, to others like Aaron Rodgers who slide further down the board, receiving that long-awaited call from a general manager marks the beginning of their pro career.
Many prospects are surrounded by close friends, family and loved ones on NFL draft night, making the moment even more special.
Legendary linebacker Lawrence Taylor, though, did things a little differently.
Back in 1981, Taylor came out of college as the ACC Player of the Year and a Unanimous All-American who had set numerous defensive records with North Carolina.
In a poll of NFL GMs taken before the draft, 26 out of 28 said if they had the first selection, they would take Taylor.
One of the two GMs who said they wouldn’t take him was Bum Phillips, who had just been hired as coach and GM by the New Orleans Saints.
As fate would have it, the Saints were also the team who had the first pick in the draft.
On draft day, Phillips made good on his decision not to draft Taylor, and New Orleans instead selected Heisman Trophy-winning halfback George Rogers with the first pick.
That left the New York Giants, in possession of the second pick, with a clear run at Taylor.
GM George Young did just that, to the raucous approval of the crowd in attendance at the draft, which was held in New York City.
While it was undoubtedly a special moment, Taylor himself doesn’t remember much of it, given he had slammed more than 40 beers on the big day.
He made the admission nearly three decades on.
“I don’t remember too much, I had 41 Coors Lights that day,” Taylor said on the red carpet outside of the 2010 draft.
“Definitely don’t remember what happened.”
Taylor, who went on to become a two-time Super Bowl champion, added that he watched the draft from home ‘like everybody else’.
These days, prospects are usually surrounded by family and friends as they watch on, but the linebacker’s crowd back in 1981 was a little different.
He revealed: “I had my drinking buddies around me.”
While draft night was a little hazy for Taylor, he went on to forge a Hall of Fame career in the NFL.
He played 13 seasons with the Giants and is universally regarded as the greatest defensive player of all time — some even consder him to be the best football player ever.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Taylor was a disruptive force at outside linebacker, and is credited with changing defensive game plans and pass rushing schemes, as well as offensive line blocking schemes and offensive formations.
He won both the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards in his debut season, and went on to produce double-digit sacks each season from 1984 through 1990.
The Giants defense, nicknamed the ‘Big Blue Wrecking Crew,’ led New York to victories in Super Bowl XXI and XXV.
Taylor was named the league’s MVP for his performance during the 1986 season — he and Alan Page (1971) are the only defensive players in league history to win the award.
He even starred in the main event of WrestleMania XI.
While his NFL career is legendary, Taylor has lived a controversial lifestyle, both on and off the field.
He admitted to using drugs including cocaine as early as his second year in the NFL, and was suspended for 30 days in 1988 by the league for failing drug tests.
Taylor’s drug abuse escalated after his retirement, and he was jailed three times for attempted drug possession.
From 1998 to 2009, he claims to have lived a sober, drug-free life, and has since worked as a color commentator on sporting events after retirement, as well as pursuing a career as an actor.
