Lawrence Taylor played linebacker for the New York Giants from 1981-1993, was a member of two Super Bowl championship teams (XXI, XXV), was named to the Pro Bowl 10 times and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

However, the man known as LT and still regarded as one of the most intimidating athletes ever to play the game has had as many off-field problems as on-field accolades: Drugs, bad investments and a divorce. In 2011, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years probation relating to the misdemeanor charges of sexual misconduct and having sex with a 16-year-old without her consent. He also had to register as a sex offender.

On Friday, Showtime will broadcast the premiere of “LT: The Life & Times.” It is described as the first extensive look into Taylor’s life, including first-person stories from family and friends, former teammates and coaches. CBS Sports has been running a five-part webisode series as a behind-the-scenes preview of the documentary.

“I don’t apologize for my life. It is what it is,” the 54-year-old Taylor said during a media conference call today. “I’ve had a pretty good life. Would I have done anything different? Of course. I would have done a lot of things different. But if I had to do it again, and the people in my life who are important to me were not there, then I would not do it again and not do it any different.”

Taylor, who is married to his second wife and is a father and grandfather, called his time in front of the camera an “interrogation.” But he admitted that the time was right for the tell-all documentary.

“Why now regarding this documentary? That’s a good question,” said Taylor. “Many people have asked me to do films or documentaries. I’ve always said no. My closet is so full of ghosts that my closet has closets. But I am past the stage of worrying what other people think of me. It’s not like 15 or 20 years ago. I’ve gotten past that.”

Ultimately, Taylor revealed the reason he really decided to participate in the documentary.

“People who criticize me don’t know me,” he said. “They know of me. They may have heard of me. But they don’t know what makes me tick. What make me cry. What I do when I leave my house other than go to the golf course. [Laughs.]. Maybe when they see this documentary they will know me a little bit better and understand what I’ve been through.”

“LT: The Life & Times” is a CBS Sports production and was directed by Pete Radovich.

Brief Take: Showtime’s documentary is yet another way to market its association with the very popular NFL, and CBS is going along for the ride with its five-part Web series that takes a behind-the-scenes look at the piece.

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