Lawrence Taylor - One Night in Nassau

NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor is more recently known as that guy who was charged with rape after paying $300 to a teenage prostitute. I remember a night long ago when Taylor spent an evening partying with my friends in Nassau.

In March 1996, my co-workers and I were treated to a weekend trip to Nassau as our year-end bonus for 1995 when I worked for ACS Tri-County Title & Closing Services and Attorney Thom L. Cooper in Centerburg.

On Saturday night, our all female group descended upon the 22 Above Lounge overlooking the Crystal Palace Casino for an evening of dancing and relaxing. Shortly after we arrived, my friend Sheri and I were looking over the casino and she said "There's LT."

Sure enough, Lawrence Taylor was standing at a craps table. We later learned that a celebrity golf tournament was being held on the island that weekend and we also saw Rodney Dangerfield through the windows of the high stakes baccarat room.

Sheri and I wandered down to the craps table and worked our way close enough to read the sparkling "LT" earring in Lawrence Taylor's ear. We watched the craps action for a bit and Sheri must have lost her nerve because she ended up going back to the lounge. Eventually, I was standing next to Taylor.

A few minutes later, Taylor turned to leave the table and a dealer asked why he was leaving so soon. Taylor replied "I'm out of money and don't even have enough for another drink."

I happened to have a pocket full of cash because part of our bonus was spending money for the trip. I wasn't able to go snorkeling so the money was burning a hole in my pocket.

"Well, I'll buy you a drink."

Lawrence Taylor turned to me and smiled and said "That's all right. I'm getting beat up here and it's time to call it quits."

Taylor wandered off and I rejoined my friends in the lounge. I began feeling ill and went back to my room where I stayed for almost 20 hours.

The next morning, Sheri told me that Lawrence Taylor had joined our group in the lounge, dancing and having a great time until closing. When Taylor made the news regarding the alleged rape in May, I asked several of the women who were there if they remembered that night. A few can vaguely recall it now. My clear head due to my ear infection gives me a crystal memory of that night.

Sources: Pro Football Hall of Fame ; NY Daily News ; Crystal Palace Casino