Nearly 40,000 people were in Wildwood, New Jersey, on Saturday for a Donald Trump campaign rally, and one of those spectators was arguably the greatest defensive player of all time.
New York Giants legend Lawrence Taylor was spotted at the Jersey Shore rally.
Assemblyman Paul Kanitra of New Jersey's 10th Legislative District watched his “favorite player” grow up at the rally.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Former NFL player Lawrence Taylor arrives at Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's Wildwood Beach campaign rally on May 11, 2024, in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Attendees were in for a surprise when Taylor and his former Giants teammate Ottis Anderson spoke on stage.
“I grew up a Democrat, and I've always been a Democrat, until I met this man right here,” Taylor said to applause. “No one in my family will vote for a Democrat again.”
LT is widely considered the best linebacker to ever play the game. He was a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, including in his rookie season.
He won two Super Bowls, made 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and was named MVP of the 1986 season. He also remains the franchise's all-time sacks leader, including his 9½ sacks in his rookie season before that catches became a statistic.
Former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) sacks Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Craig Erickson during a September 12, 1993 game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Mark D. Phillips/AFP via Getty Images)
This came despite a lavish lifestyle off the field, which resulted in legal trouble following his playing days.
Many aides who spoke to Fox News said they believe Trump could turn things around. garden state in November, when he hopes to win back the White House for a second term.
Rod Delaine, a amazon factory A Staten Island worker who lives in New Jersey told Fox News Digital he drove nearly two and a half hours to attend the rally.
THE LIONS ROOKIE SAYS I PICKED NO. 0 BECAUSE 'THERE IS NO ONE LIKE ME'
A New Jersey school teacher who identified herself as Anna said she was motivated to attend because of the state of the economy.
Another supporter, who identified himself as Carlos, said he believed the country needed to go back to the way things were under the former president.
Former President Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign rally in Wildwood Beach on May 11, 2024, in Wildwood, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I think this country needs to change. Although we already know what Trump is about. So, that change will come back to us because that's what we need,” Carlos said. “We need Trump because I don't think Biden is doing the job right now. Part of it is his fault. Part of it is probably the people around him. But I think we need Trump to come back to get this country back to where he was.” He needs to be.”
Fox News' Bradford Betz and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital sports coverage in Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
