Growing up Lawrence Taylor aka "LT" was someone I feared. The thoughts of him crossing my path would make me uncharacteristically quiver. For years I watched football footage of him sacking quarterbacks, shouting obscenities, and even a wrestling match he participated in with the late great WWF's Bam Bam Biggelo.

Who would ever think over a decade later in 2007, I would see my football idol tipping a voluptuous exotic dancer in a downtown Chicago strip club. I couldn't believe it, one of the NFL's greatest players of all time was sitting right next to me paying some young woman's college tuition in the form of George Washingtons and Ben Franklins .

Do I speak? Do I stare? What do I do? I want to come off as a fan, but not some 20 year old moron who still gets excited by an NFL legend enjoying his off time away from his beloved significant other. Right as my intuition told me to look the other way, we made direct eye contact. Me being overly confident yet still wet behind the ears - I spoke without hesitation. We talked about his NFL career while he received a lap dance from a young lady that was so physically blessed that you would have thought she was bread from a ranch that specialised in bone structure. The entire time we talked I remained captured in the moment that at anytime Mr. Taylor could just have another one of his "roid rage" episodes and randomly slam me to floor. A bit far fetched yes, but possible....absolutely. Regardless I couldn't believe that I had just indulged in a casual drink with someone I watched terrorise guys on TV as a child for years.

Skim 2 years later...just last week I read that Mr. Taylor would be participating in the hit ABC TV show, Dancing With the Stars. The man who I once witness crack the back of some of the most prominent NFL quarterbacks is now going to participate in ball room dancing. Wow this isn't just a surprise, this is a bit alarming. This news was more devastating than the time my mom admitted to me Santa Clause couldn't afford me that swimming pool in my backyard I always wanted. How can a man that was once known for steroids, anger, and inflicting pain be seen on TV with fancy rhinestone pants and leather vests? First the tough guy from Soul Food makes a dance choreography DVD series, now this? Say it ain't so.

One things for sure, I'm no longer afraid of you LT. You are now in my mind a pathetic excuse for a once assumed intimidating athlete in NFL history. So Mr. Taylor if you've found this blog through some random search engine please understand you've not only tarnished your image but lost a genuine fan at the same time. I sure hope you're happy sir. Now please break a leg. All pun intended.

Update 2/16/2009: After reading this post a frequent reader contacted me via email stating Lil Wayne and I share something in common. No it's not the fact that I like to whistle obnoxious siren noises as female officers walk past me, and no it has nothing to do with me being the self proclaimed greatest rapper alive. It is in fact below a recent clip of Lil Wayne's distaste in Lawrence Taylor going to TV show, Dancing with the Stars. It's pretty hilarious. Go to the 1:13 portion of the clip to get Wayne's take on LT's poor decision. I actually watched this entire episode live but somehow managed to walk out the room during this segment.

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In celebration of black history month I'm going to share one of my more recent favorite illustrations within my collection of odd yet thought provoking images. This is currently my wallpaper on my BlackBerry, and personal computer. Maybe I'm getting ahead of my self, but this image is pretty breathtaking. Enjoy....

Final Thought: Martin Luther King Jr. was an outspoken Republican, Barrack Obama is an outspoken Democrat. Isn't it amazing how regardless of the political backgrounds they both share the same common goal, to unite the people of America.