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GQ
Scores With L.T. Article
By
Randy Williams
I've often been critical of GQ's Peter Richmond (see "Joe
Morgan's Cool Anger") but his latest piece, "Lawrence
Taylor, Without Tears," is outstanding.
The December article was written just after the legendary linebacker's
October arrest for allegedly purchasing $50 of crack cocaine in
St. Petersburg, Fla. To L.T.'s credit he is straightforward and
unafraid to speak his mind, unlike others in the same predicament.
The article is fair in its portrayal of the 39-year-old Taylor as
Richmond is critical when he needs to be and compassionate when
he has to be. He manages to tell Taylor's life story without
talking about Super Bowls and wind-filled days at the Meadowlands.
Quite a feat.
The piece doesn't include extensive interviews with anyone but the
39-year-old Taylor and it doesn't need them. L.T. is a quote machine,
offering opinions on topics ranging from his candidacy for the
Pro Football Hall of Fame to his parenting techniques.
A sampling of the wisdom according to Lawrence Taylor:
- On playing
in the NFL: "I played 13 years. Played like a son of
a bitch. Got paid for it. Had a damned good time. But it was just
a job for me, and that's what I did. If I could have done something
else and gotten paid just as much, I'd have done it."
- On role
models in sport:
"My kids have no one's autograph. I would never tell my kid
to be like anybody. Don't be like anybody. Don't be like Michael
Jordan, Lawrence Taylor. Be like yourself, whether you play ball
or not, whether you do wrong or right - as long as you don't do
too much wrong."
- On his
life: "It could have been worse. Could have been better.
I had a good life. I'm happy. I'm happy with the career I had.
With the things I accomplished, not only as a player but as a
man."
The abysmal Joe Morgan piece is a thing of the past. Indeed,
Richmond has redeemed himself with "Lawrence Taylor,"
deftly combining his writing skills with a keen knowledge of the
subject. Well done.
Grade: A
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