LT Game Tape: 1988 vs Saints (The Pain Game)

New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor playing with torn shoulder ligaments and a detached pectoral muscle against the New Orleans Saints in week 13 of the 1988 season.
All rights property of the NFL.

[@um52]

Ray Lewis, Demarcus Ware, Derrick Brooks, Derrick Thomas, Junior Seau, Brian Urlacher, Terrell Suggs, Greg Lloyd, were all legends I watched growing up, and none of them came very close to LT. Taylor was the greatest defender if not football player I ever saw during his prime.

[@mickfunny4185]

um52 You can’t compare an edge rusher like LT to an inside LB like Ray Lewis

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

@@mickfunny4185 ....sure you can. Lawrence Taylor took on blockers and shoved them aside whereas Ray Lewis needed to be shielded by defensive tackles in order to flow to running backs. It's not even a comparison.

[@tonyp1730]

LT played mike in goal line situations and did it better than the guy he was replacing he could play any linebacker position and be the best like Ray and Brian U but LT was the best Ray Lewis was strong and smart always aware of what play was coming a student of the game B U was athletic almost as LT but not quite and he did not have the ability to see the play developed like LT did It’s a shame players like LT mean Joe Jack Lambert Dick Butkus Deacon Johns and many other great ones like Ronnie Lott could not play in today’s girly games

[@TBSandNFL]

Ray Lewis came close come on

[@BIGDROC99]

TBSandNFL Ray Lewis was a a great player, but doesn’t come close to LT. Lewis was the best LB during the time he played. But doesn’t come close to LT

[@kingfish4242]

Saints fan here,and had the priveledge of being in the dome that night. This game went beyond my love for everything Saints. All you could do was admire the greatest defensive player in NFL history

[@nicksimon7074]

LT was an absolute warrior. He was just like a Roman gladiator. Just like Joe Theismann said when he was announcing the game.

[@luckybenny8871]

This is the greatest performance ive seen on a football field. Complete, utter, total domination by one man. LT is the best player i ever saw. Hes the scariest player ever. He just COULD NOT be blocked. He actually did more damage in this game than what is shown on the tape. The Blind Side is what it is because of him. Joe Gibbs created the double tight end formation as his basic set ONLY because of him. The GOAT.

[@ShogunX11]

Gibbs also created the single back formation because of LT

[@flyingchickengaming6220]

I remember when Gibbs tried to double team LT with Joe Jacoby and Russ Grimm, 2 of the best O linemen in the game and about 600 lbs of human beings. LT went through both of them. At 256 lbs and without being some dude who benches 500 lbs. He was just a freak. A once in a millenium player

[@dwightlove3704]

With a SEPARATED SHOULDER NO LESS!!!!!!

[@aktxag]

I'm a lifelong Cowboy fan. I saw L.T. wreak havoc on the Cowboys as a teenager. L.T. is even greater than everyone says he is. Without question, the greatest and most feared defensive player ever.

[@flyinbryan1619]

52 year old cowboy fan, born and raised in dallas. people these days don't understand what LT was. the guy was a freak of nature. fans of teams outside the nfc east just do not understand the fear this guy put on fans of teams that played him 2, sometimes 3 times a year. it was a fear that blanketed the city 2 weeks before the game and worsened everyday. grim reaper fear. you just couldn't keep the guy off your quarterback. and when he got to there, he was there to do damage. nobody worried about the outcome of the game. people were more concerned about the condition of the team AFTER the game.

[@PrinceTron1]

Fans outside of the NFC East? Tell that to Lions fans who witnessed LT single handedly beat the Lions on a Monday Night game by himself at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. Football fans in the old NFC Central and West and the league in general knew who Lawrence Taylor was. It wasn't like they didn't watch the game day network highlights on CBS, NBC, ABC and ESPN Sportscenter.

[@PrinceTron1]

@Ian Lev No argument with me.

[@DamageLLC]

Perfectly said and thank you for the honesty as a Cowboy fan. As a 49 year old Giant fan I had the pleasure of watching every game and was simply amazed and proud of what he could/did do EVERY SINGLE GAME! Thanks again and good luck with 2019 bud!

[@duewhit310]

Sunday the 56th: Lawrence Returns Ch-ch-ch-ch ah-ah-ah-ah

[@canucanoe2861]

@Ian Lev If not for the three that the 49rs won, the NFC East would have won every SB in the ten year period encompassing '86 to '95. Think about it. Seven out of ten SB's won by one division. If not for the Niner's weak-ass division, they might have made it to fewer SB's, and the NFC East would have won one or two more.

[@joefechicollotie1082]

Mark Bavaro hugged LT after the game winning field goal.. Mark knew the pain LT was in and he stilled played so great that night...LT that night won that game for them....

[@whatsmyname1288]

Yo uncle joe

[@rjam1974]

I remember seeing him coming into the league and I knew how spectacular he was but watching him dominate games while injured again makes me treasure how spectacular of a player regardless of position he was. Once in a millineum player

[@TheRealPapaBearChris]

Only player in memory that could actually single handedly turn the tide of a game. He could dominate an entire game. There really hasn't ever been another D player that could do that. Glad that I grew up watching him, as good as these videos are, they just can't do him justice.

[@MrFALLENHER0]

was a good in college

[@MrFALLENHER0]

+PapaBearChris he

[@jeffjahns1974]

Easy to overcome the pain when all coked up. Amazing how an athsma inhaler helps with body pains.

[@boblarry649]

Once in earth existence Player they'll never be another LT

[@BbcKrackerSkinny3]

Man, L.T. was a beast. Just total domination.

[@Overfiend19761]

The best outside LB of all time, and, in my opinion, the best football player of all time. I'm so glad I was able to watch his entire career with the 'gints.

[@jamesreilly763]

Dude I couldn’t of said it better myself the greatest football player ever

[@domochoa]

Rickey Jackson was better. He just ain’t played in ny

[@rik4369]

The GOAT. Bengals fan here.

[@canucanoe2861]

You are clueless.

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

Dom Ochoa .......your post about Rickey Jackson being comparable to Lawrence Taylor confirms you are on drugs because it’s obvious you’re high AF.

[@Bellcity]

How can one man be so dominant? Truly a phenomenal player.

[@222222e]

MikeBee cocaine it gives you wings

[@generalzod7959]

Lot's of painkillers and cocaine, that's how 😄

[@flyingchickengaming6220]

@@generalzod7959 Do you think that players today aren't on painkillers and coke? Not only that, they're on growth hormones, anabolic steroids, and any other PED you can think of. Guys today are WAY more juiced up than LT ever was bro. And not one could come close to his dominance.

[@Careerender]

He’s not regarded the best player who ever played for no reason. To anyone who didn’t get to see him play live, he was that good. G.O.A.T

[@redshift1976]

O, that we now had here but one ten thousandth of those men...

[@theone2225]

Man I wish Taylor was still playing for the Giants.... such an incredible athlete. So glad he played for the Giants.

[@dme1016]

Um....He's kinda old to be still playing, don't you think?

[@omarluna7290]

@@dme1016 Nah he’s built different

[@dme1016]

@@omarluna7290 I don't even remember wtf I was talking about. LT was still in his prime in '88. But, when he DID lose his superpowers, it was sad to see.

[@omarluna7290]

@@dme1016 unfortunately, I’m a youngin, so I really didn’t get to see LT live in the flesh. But I still know he was a unit. And yes, I’ve seen videos of him slowly diminishing :,(

[@dme1016]

@@omarluna7290 Well, I saw him live, when he first came from North Carolina, in the early 80's. I went to Giants Stadium, which used to ROCK when they played. Great tines.

[@georgewhitehead8185]

Every time you see LT get up from tackling someone, you can see the pain, and herculean effort it takes for him to get up, and then he rises, and goes on to smash them in the next play. What a M-A-N!!! WOW!! Just an an Amazing MAN.

[@llw53one]

Damn LT was the man! Imagine him 100% healthy. He was a beast in pain with 1 arm!

[@GSP-76]

We will never see a player dominate the way LT did...truly a once in a lifetime talent

[@Will87]

Two really good LB corps with the Giants and Saints here.

[@daveballapico7875]

AMEN Saints :Pat Swilling, Ricky Jackson, Sam Mills & Vaughan Johnson. Giants LT, Carl Banks, Gary Reasons, & Pepper Johnson. Couldn't ask for BETTER.

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

@@daveballapico7875 before Pepper Johnson it was Taylor, Carson, Reasons & Banks...

[@illmill42012]

greatest defender of all time

[@dustinalbers8160]

illmill42012 i never got to see him live. how does Ray Lewis compare to L.T.?

[@kevinmac1989]

Neither a match for Butkus. And Butkus played “clean.”

[@boblarry649]

@@kevinmac1989 LT greatest player ever sorry butkus and Ray far 2nd and 3rd

[@thehigherorder5048]

I was 8 when my Dad took me to this game.....He cussed the whole way home!!

[@kgcane5195]

Even as a 49 year old lifelong Cowboys fan I can’t express to you how much I loved and admired LT as a player! He is the 🐐! If football had a Mount Rushmore he goes on that mountain! There will never be another player like LT!

[@Torgo1969]

Damn, he was hurting. But what a great LB corps the NYGs had back then. Taylor, Banks, Reasons, Carson, Johnson.

[@godzilla0974]

Every time LT went down it looked like he wasn’t getting up again. I could only imagine the pain he was in. His ability to never give up inspires me.😊

[@ThePrayinmantiz]

thank you John people will never really understand his true greatness

[@visforvegan8]

One of the greatest individual efforts ever.

[@viviandarkbloom100]

He simply wrecked Offenses. I'm so fortunate to have watched his career from his UNC days wearing #98

[@bruceschaffer101]

Thanks for posting. It's amazing to me---even considering that it's Lawrence Taylor---that someone who can't even use his right arm to help himself get up off the ground can be so forceful and so effective. Wow.

[@profitcs8506]

I love watching LT. Greatest of all time, much respect for this man.

[@elderwright6262]

We graduated and come out of school the same year 1977. He was just as good in high school as well. I remember the game he played against Hampton High School in Darling Stadium. This guy is a wonder. The best that ever did it. Defense!!!🏈

[@Mikemercedes7676]

Pat Swilling and Ricky Jackson were relentless for the Saints in them days. LT is by far the G.O.A.T. Growing up as a kid i always wondered why they said his name so many times...well, later on i got to learn why. LT was a BEAST indeed.

[@willie838]

I only heard of Ricky Jackson today when defensive coordinator vic fangio told the media that Khalil Mack's playing style reminded him of Ricky Jackson.... Going to do a little research because a quick glance showed 130 career sacks and a HOF induction.

[@pauljohnson3340]

@@willie838 Rickey Jackson was a Mack truck. He hit that hard. The Dome Patrol was nasty. They were amazing.

[@nastypiglosi1788]

@Paul Johnson they were all in LT's shadow when he showed up in the Dome with only one arm

[@Dawg-Bone]

This might be the greatest performance football has ever seen.

[@jackandersen202]

I love how the announcer said you know he has great length strength but one arm so run right at him, then on the ensuing play they run right at him and he stops it for no/minimal gain.

[@smoothjazzandmore]

I must have been on a military assignment for this game, because I rarely missed a Giants game back in the day. Unbelievable performance. The greatest NFL football player, ever.

[@carlesmauricio2909]

The best defender I ever witnessed! Really fun to watch his dominance. He was truly feared and a HOFmer....God bless you always LT

[@BlackAdam2784]

Thanks for posting this, man. Great vid.

[@johnsmith3091]

Beefcake McGee appreciate it. Thanks for watching

[@michaeldipsey7500]

Best football player ever. He literally changed the game the position and was just a freak!!!! 🐐 LT

[@woodsoncircle]

LT ... GREAT linebacker. What is forgotten here is that the Saints had a dominant group as well (Dome Patrol - Johnson, Jackson, Mills, Swilling). Their QB Bobby Hebert held them back from competing for championships. They were good enough to get it done on defense.

[@ShogunX11]

Bobby was a career backup playing starter. New Orleans was cursed with back QBs until Brees

[@christopherpuylara6355]

Born and raised a New York Football Giants fan,thanks for posting these videos

[@christophernardone6457]

I'm an Eagles Fsn. This Was one of the Toughness games I ever saw. He was Truly Great. I had a separated shoulder.cant imagine him playing

[@OCxTheBadMariachi]

Wow! Thanks for the highlights. There will never be another LT.

[@TommyRibs]

In that game you had the Giants and Saints with two of the best Linebacking Corps of all time. Giants had LT, Banks, Reasons, Pepper Johnson and Harry Carson. Saints had Rickey Jackson, Pat Swilling, Vaughn Johnson and Sam Mills.

[@Poly415]

He was my idol growing up, I had the same facemask and same balls out attitude he had playing football. He was the best and still is the best defender.

[@MrDCMiami]

I seem to recall a sequence in the game where there were 3 consecutive plays where the QB dropped back and was sacked, had a forced fumble, and the other team recovered. I think LT produced 2 of them and Pat Swilling produced the 3rd one in between the 2 by the giants. That's right - 3 changes of possession from QB strip sacks on 3 consecutive plays!!FUCK this year's SB between the Pats and Rams. THIS was a defensive battle for the ages. Teams advanced the ball by their defense causing the opponent's offense to go backward!! There's a difference between great defense featured in a game and offensive ineptitude, which was more the case in the SB with Rams and Pats.

[@NamHoang-mq7vz]

john your videos are amazing, thanks a lot for taking the time to compile these!

[@celestialscripture]

LT was an absolute menace on the field.

[@richardspikman7116]

I can´t even imagine the pain that he played in, and he was still the damn Terminator

[@brianboyle4589]

Could be the greatest game a football player ever had.

[@Franco1395]

I loved it when Joe Theissmann would call an LT game. The first time was must watch TV. Last thing, LT high AF was a devastating player.

[@paulboegel8009]

Power, speed, drive, determination, hands and leverage. Their will never be another LT.

[@TheSteveSteele]

When I played Techmo Bowl back in the day, there were three teams that you could win with every time. The Raiders with Bo Jackson, (you could run up and down the field and never get tackled). The 49ers with Montana to Rice (bombs away). And if you wanted to play defense, the Giants. Play as LT and he would stop every play. LT was one of the best and that Giants D is one of my favorites of all time.

[@ShogunX11]

Chicago too with Walter Payton.

[@nyjay21x1]

NFL's BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF ALL TIME

[@billyeichelberger8289]

I miss giants defensive like that. LT. Was great. Love these videos. I liked Jim burt.

[@jwedgest67]

Man I still remember watching him play, and I miss every bit of it. The true G.O.A.T. of the NFL

[@supajoc4352]

Football and Baseball as a kid was my favorite to sports I ever played in my life. I enjoy watching both now

[@bobbythespaceghost9934]

Saints fan here. LT was special. It's crazy. The Saints had a defense as well back in 1988, but his effort was just on another level.

[@bastardcrustacean]

I know Saints had The Dome Patrol but damn, passing on LT hurts

[@ShogunX11]

LT was literally in agony during this game

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

Ahhhh......you're referring to Bum Phillips passing on Lawrence Taylor in the 1981 draft. But.....to Phillips credit he did nab Rickey Jackson in 2nd round of the same draft. He got a Hall of Fame linebacker at number 51 overall. Not bad. He did take George Rogers over LT. Rogers was a First Team All-Pro in his rookie season though......so Bum got rich with his picks. But...if he selected LT....he would have made a killing.

[@chadbailey30]

LT was a monster. Growing up I tried to play just like him.. Wore 56, and played DE/LB , every game day I would watch LT highlights. Was the Most Dominant force on D

[@EmpressTouch]

This is an education for anyone who believes in highlighting what can be achieved IF you want to do something MORE than anyone else - FAIR AND SQUARE. Many athletes around the world need to take inspiration from these wonderful videos showcasing the art of stopping the opposition when the opposition has control of the contest.

[@bobforpples]

Bobby Hebert- The Legend

[@jonmayes2422]

What do you want in exchange for FULL copies of your Lawrence Taylor games

[@TheRick8866]

What a different game they’re playing nowadays

[@DamageLLC]

27 Cowboy fans hated on this video 😂 Taylor’s passion for the game was second to NONE! He was simply the BEST of the best. END OF STORY!

[@craigleidigjr4170]

Words can’t describe the Player and impact he had. I still talk about him I’m 53. That’s Heart ♥️. No players these days have it. Plus today games would be 5 hrs long with all the penalties!!! 🤣😅

[@brendanmcgarry7238]

That’s not true. LT’s “heart” was as good as it gets - but Tom Brady is every bit the “heart”less assassination on offense as LT was on D…

[@roachedyourmom1357]

Will, drive, pure "better than you" athleticism and strength to throw men around like ragdolls. A true monster

[@dme1016]

Best NFL player ever, offense OR defense. And, he was a crack addict at the same time. Incredible skills & will power. He & Parcells were perfect together.

[@garymiller7087]

The commentator was joe Thiseman who viciously got his leg broken by LT in a game a few years before this one.

[@miguelisms]

So basically LT gave him a job in broadcasting.

[@YaredYahu1212]

He is the reason I played linebacker in HS. LT, Jerry Rice and Walter Payton are why I loved football as a kid.

[@cwillie1492]

Greatest football player ever

[@C5624]

This was probably the best defensive performance of Giants' linebacker Lawrence Taylor's career. This game was played late in the 1988 season at The Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The N.Y. Giants defeated the N.O. Saints 13-12. Taylor sacked the Saints' quarterback Bobby Hebert three times while playing with a separated shoulder and also forced two fumbles, which were recovered, by Taylor's fellow temmates, cornerback Perry Williams and nose tackle Jim Burt.

[@petermcconnell5587]

I remember going to Pace University to watch the Giants camp in '82. They played a light contact scrimmage. Coaches called a play which had rookie Joe Morris run off tackle to the LT's side. Taylor was either told to drill him, or more likely just couldn't help himself, but in tackling Joe he brought his forearms down on Joe's shoulders and bent him in half backward. "Welcome to the NFL son", was the message. I think Joe took it on board.

[@flyingchickengaming6220]

And the crazy thing about that is Joe Morris was the 3rd strongest player on the entire Giants team, including the O lineman. Dude could full squat nearly 600 lbs and do REPS with that. And LT, who really never worked out, just flattened him.

[@imaseeker100]

Hard to watch him writhe in pain. But good god what an inspiration. How could the Giants NOT give it 110%?

[@caimenthacker3155]

The burst of or fake burst of speed at 2:23 to show the quarterback he is in trouble was amazing

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

@ 0:48.....Lawrence Taylor playing defensive end, 3-point stance in a 3-2 dime formation. Playing with an injured wing against T Jim Dombrowski at 300 lbs and G Brad Edelman at 265 lbs.then @ 1:45 he drives Dombrowski back into QB Hebert as if he's on roller skates. Dombrowski wasn't a slouch either. Drafted number 6 overall in the 1986 draft....played for 11 seasons.....he was abused on this night though.

[@HamMan1997The2nd]

This was REAL football. LT was a WARRIOR

[@bthorn5035]

It takes a special kind of player to be more effective with one arm than a backup with two.

[@andreromanfitness1092]

How appropriate is it that Joe Thiesmann was calling the game? Nobody knew better about the pain that LT could bring besides Joe T!

[@sikwititbristol1032]

Playing hurt, a true warrior

[@carlbueckert3441]

Just a great player! A true beast nothing today compares

[@l9ikjam]

L.T, pepper Johnson, Carl banks, Ricky Jackson, pat swilling. Some great linebackers playing on the same field.

[@jesselovell8090]

LT is the GOAT in any position, team, era….

[@davewilkins4268]

Absolute beast he didn’t even start playing organized football till he was a junior in high school

[@davewilkins4268]

Absolutely most dominant defensive player ever not even close

[@francisblake1549]

LT the best there was the best there ever will be!!!

[@jamesroof6150]

Jim Brown one of the greatest football players I ever saw. Dick Butkus another. Lawrence Taylor changed the game and clearly on most everyones goat short list. Right from his rookie season I never saw a player like him before and haven't since.

[@baustin2402]

Damn... that's one game, close to a season highlight film for some! 🤨

[@josgor9061]

Dude had a game named after him. Legend

[@MoonLightWright]

This is the type of warrior/leader I strive to be, and will be. This man is a legend.

[@mickfunny4185]

MoonLightWright you a rapper?

[@riddell74]

Love the intensity of this sport... back then

[@frederickgriffith7004]

Man I can't tell you how painful that type of injury is.You can't even breathe.Incredible.You could tell how long it took him to get up after each tackle

[@grungeboy619]

Legend.

[@ramram349]

LT is the greatest D player of all-time, but I wouldn't doubt anyone who thinks he was on cocaine in this game. Not far-fetched.

[@danielkelegian5306]

+A Mango Doubt it. He was suspended for thirty days at the beginning of this season. It was his second offense. The Giants would not let him get strike three.

[@allengreene9954]

+Daniel Kelegian He stayed clean until his retirement after the 1993 season. After that he hit rock bottom really quick. His wife divorced him, he was a terrible analyst for Thursday Night Football. His restaurant/bar closed down. Plus his coke addiction grew even worse. It's great that he redeemed himself over the years.

[@chestermicek]

LT was great. I can't imagine what it was like to play against that guy. The men he chumped were pros; yet, they were all slower, weaker, and dumber that LT. What could it have been like knowing you could not stop that guy from getting to Hebert, the guy you were paid to protect? Imagine being a pro halfback, fullback, guard, tackle, or tight end and knowing, before the first whistle blew, that LT would beat you four or more times per game. Imagine being Hebert and knowing LT was going to run you down and smash you into the ground. LT was Dick Butkus with the speed of Hollywood Henderson. Those two might have been better and more dangerous when they played hurt that when they played their usual MVP game. For sure, they were both going to catch you, and then, they were going to hurt you. Tell you what, give me Michael Vick & LT in their uninjured prime, and I'll show you back to back to back Super Bowls. That's because nobody, not even Dion Sanders or Bo Jackson, could have stopped, or outplayed either man in his uninjured prime. Imagine Vick running circles around Dion. I'll bet Dion's shoes would have fallen off. Now, fantasize the open field, shoulder on shoulder collision between Bo & LT. I'll bet their helmets and pads would have exploded.

[@davidharrison9324]

just ask eli manning the last two years...our o line sux..

[@edwardjoshua5288]

Incredible

[@byrongammonbyrongammon9937]

John Smith.....excellent work. Do you have highlights of Carl Banks?

[@donny4939]

LT has a torn shoulder and the saints need 3 blockers to block him. Jesus fuckin' Christ! I'm convinced LT is not human.

[@rkid727]

Broncos fan here but I never get tired of watching great players like LT. Don’t think there’s a single player that would play if they were this hurt. Current player get paid much more and don’t play nearly as much.

[@charlesharmon8478]

LT is from Williamsburg, VA. Only wish he would have gone to Virginia Tech like Bruce Smith, who is from Norfolk.

[@ericallen7112]

I remember this game like it was yesterday. I was sooooooooooooooo disappointed and it really showed what a suck ass OC we had.

[@joeyslick2072]

Awesome! #56 L.T. The harness game. Right up there with one of his best. All the pain he was in during this game. I wonder how many dudes could do that? ( Nobody) Lawerence stands alone on The mountains of the Meodowlands. Those were the days. Love ya L.T. #56 ❤⚪💙

[@healthhavencom]

Jim Brown LT ? ? ?

[@JFK-ir7yz]

Tom Brady wouldn’t have lasted two season playing in the NFL in the 1980s. LT was the greatest ever. Tom couldn’t even beat the 2007-2011 Giants. He wouldn’t have lasted an entire game playing against LT and the Gmen defense of the 80s.

[@Fogman5678]

Greatest Giant LB ever. Best hit though was Reasons against the Broncos at the Goal line. "THE HIT".

[@3stacksofHighSociety]

This performance has no peer in football. The only things comparable are Enrico Caruso at the Met. Jesse Owens in Berlin. Reggie Jackson's 3 HR in the World Series at the Stadium. The Beatles on Ed Sullivan. This was something beyond sport, it was elemental. Transcendent.