Lawrence Taylor made his career waltzing over quarterbacks, and now he’ll be “Dancing with the Stars.”
The legendary Giants defender will be named a contestant on ABC’s popular ball room competition next week, joining a growing list of gridiron greats who have traded in their cleats for dancing shoes.
Word of LT’s dancing plans was first broken over the weekend by actor and prankster Ashton Kutcher.
The “Punk’d” star wrote on his Twitter feed that he met LT at a Super Bowl bash in Tampa, and hinted the fearsome defensive end would be on the show.
“Expect to see him in prime time soon,” Kutcher posted to the blogging site. “Can’t say where but he better work on his footwork.”
A source close to Taylor yesterday confirmed LT’s “Dancing” plans.
The Hall of Fame Big Blue defender was on the road and could not be reached for comment yesterday.
“If it’s about competitiveness and athleticism and willpower, then Lawrence will give the field more than it can handle,” Giants VP Pat Hanlon said.
“It will be interesting to see if the poetic motion that led to the annihilation of the competition on the football field transfers to the dance floor. That’s why they play the game.”
An ABC rep could not be reached for comment, although show producers typically don’t discuss casting issues until contestants are officially named.
The formal announcement of the Season 8 competitors is set for Sunday.
Last season’s “Dancing” was electrified by Warren Sapp, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer behemoth who proved light on his feet and thrilled fans with a second-place finish.
One-time Dallas star Emmitt Smith won Season 3, while Miami great Jason Taylor and San Francisco treat Jerry Rice have both showed off impressive moves on the show.
Smith partnered with dancer Cheryl Burke, a two-time “Dancing” winner, and compared the thrill of that competition to winning the Super Bowl.
Jason Taylor partnered with Edyta Sliminska for Season 6 and finished second to Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas.
Rice and his professional dancing partner, Anna Trebunskaya, finished second in Season 2 to former boy-band member Drew Lachey and his pro partner, Burke.
Lawrence Taylor, who has successfully battled drug addictions in his post-football career, turns 50 tomorrow.