South Florida Registrant and NFL Legend Helps Announce the Relaunch of the Presidential Fitness Test in Public Schools
Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced the return of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test with the help of some big names in sports. Among them, Lawrence Taylor! Yes, that Lawrence Taylor. NFL legend, Hall of Famer, and, yes, a registered sex offender for soliciting an underage prostitute. Here’s a nice photo of them in the Roosevelt Room. L.T. at the microphone and Trump looking on admiringly.
The irony is that the test is given to school age children to assess their physical fitness. But Taylor isn’t supposed to be anywhere near a school! Don’t get me wrong. Obviously I’m a big proponent of second chances and spend many hours each week advocating for registrants. I’m also a fan of the Giants legend. It’s just that yesterday I watched a press release where the Sheriff of Marion County is standing at a podium calling “these people” irredeemable pieces of s*** and today I’m looking at a picture of one of “those people” speaking about a program (for kids, no less) with the President and Vice President looking on admiringly. It’s pretty tough to reconcile.
It’s not just Lawrence Taylor. Another famous Florida registrant, Mike Tyson (I’m also a big fan… not of the crime, but of all his other accomplishments) has had a huge resurgence recently. Here’s a nice photo of Trump and Tyson yucking it up at a recent UFC event.
What bothers me about all this is that in the world we live in, when it comes to people like myself, no matter how far in the past or how deeply accounted for, that one blip in an otherwise great life will always be the first line of our obituary, even if we’re still alive and giving back to our communities. But for celebrities or the wealthy, there’s no hiding. They are just a man with a complicated history being asked to contribute, the same way others are, based on their talents and accomplishments. If you’re famous or wealthy, society finds a way to say, “but look at all the good they’ve done.” If you’re not, the door stays shut—forever.
People on the registry are told over and over that they are irredeemable. That nothing they do — be it volunteering, starting businesses, raising families, staying re-offense free for decades — can ever outweigh the one thing they did wrong. Unless, of course, you’re in the NFL Hall of Fame. Then suddenly, we can talk about second chances.
Don’t misunderstand me; it’s not that Taylor shouldn’t be allowed to represent a fitness campaign. He should. But so should the person who spent decades of quiet, steady effort to live better lives. The message shouldn’t be that fame erases the past. The message should be that people deserve to be known for more than the worst thing they’ve ever done, whether they’re a Super Bowl champion or someone you’ve never heard of.
Because if we’re going to allow one person to stand up and be recognized for their full humanity – flaws, triumphs, and all — we ought to let others do the same. Not because they’re famous. But because they’re human.
Oh… and as a side note to Lawrence Taylor or Mike Tyson: If you are reading this, you’re on the Florida registry just like we are. We could really, really, really, use your support in advocating for reform. Please consider becoming involved in the effort.
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This editorial brings a smile to me today. Glad you wrote it on the topic and the timing of it all things considered, especially with a certain EO that was just published where one of those who could be impacted by it is front and center. Maybe someone should ask the gent in question his thoughts on this. Maybe someone from this org could reach out to their reps for a words of enlightenment on the movement needed and some assistance would be nice.
I agree 100% with Ben. Trump could and can abolish the registry. From what I hear, there are almost 1 million on the List.
What if just 1/2 of us could send an email to Trump. Do you think that would get his attention? Possibly.
Do you think that he would even do anything about it? Probably not but at least it’s a chance.
If anyone you know is good at writing an email, stating what is the real truth about it, and supply an email address to the president I will be among the the first to sign it and send it..
I wonder if Taylor had to notify the sheriff’s office of his travel plans. I also want to know how the Secret Service allowed him access to the President.
As a Florida registrant, Taylor would only need to notify the sheriff’s office of his travel plans if he established a temporary or permanent residence out of state. If he spent only two days at his place of lodging while in the Washington DC area, he would not be required under Florida law to report the travel. Also, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia all do not require registration for visits of less than 14 consecutive days.
As for the Secret Service, they are surely aware of his criminal background and status as a convicted felon and registrant, and (although I’m no expert in this) I would guess had to get special clearance to be in the White House near the president under those circumstances.
Thanks RM. I know that I tried to go onto Ft. Bragg awhile ago to attend my siblings’ promotion to Colonel and was not allowed on base. I think it’s an example of the double standard that the post mentions.
You should’ve sought a base commander permission slip to attend on base after being appealed by your brother. It is possible. Trust me, I know.
Let’s call this what it is: not about fitness, not about redemption, and certainly not about registry reform. This is about Trump’s long-running plantation optics—where proximity to Black celebrity is used to signal cultural alignment without offering actual justice or policy repair.
It’s the same playbook he used with rappers in 2020 and athletes before that: surround yourself with Black faces, especially controversial ones, to distract from the real harm being done—whether that’s gutting education policy, criminalizing poverty, or dehumanizing registrants who aren’t famous.
To be fair, Trump and Tyson have been friends for decades.
Lawrence Taylor’s crime and my crime are exactly the same. We both contacted an escort service seeking looking for a date to spend some time with me (us) and sent someone who was a minor to my house. A month after I contacted the service I was arrested for procuring a minor for sex. Saying that I was shocked is an understatement. In my case, during the sentencing hearing, the judge said that the girl that I contacted was the “initiator and aggressor”. I did 7 months in the county jail and 7 years of probation.
I also received a light sentence in 1999 for consensual sexual activity with a 17-year old in 1997 when I was 25 (F.S. 794.05(1), which had only been in effect for less than a year at that time; not minimizing the severity of the offense, just providing context). The registry did not exist in 1997 at the time I committed my offense but went into effect a few months later.
This offense (794.05(1) – Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor 16/17 y/o) gets wildly different treatment depending on who the individuals involved are. No important people involved? = A chance at house arrest or probation (maybe even withheld adjudication if the defendant is sympathetic). A big-wig’s 17-year old? = 10 years in prison + 25 years probation. That’s not justice, — it’s a scratch-off lottery ticket.
@RM
Even though there are guidelines, what people forget is, the biggest factor is the judge assigned to your case. I did not win the lottery because I could have gotten a better deal from Satan than the judge I got. I had an encounter with someone who wanted to be with me. Even though illegal, it was not like I kidnapped someone. I broke the law for sure but 30 years? Some who murdered someone, sometimes don’t get 30 years.
On top of that, I got lifetime registration, and retroactively applied to boot because there was no registry when I was sentenced. If only time machines were real.
I still say this is an opportunity to have Trump abolish the registry. A wad of cash and an ask is all it would take.
Ben
Ain’t happening
Aes and Ben,
It might not be abolished, however it is about to get hit with a really big reality check. Gov. De Santis was informed yesterday. It’s coming.
Informed of what? Mr. Doe, respectfully, you post a lot about how something big is going to break but if there’s something specific, would you mind sharing it?
I agree, please share.
FAC-3 and Connie >>>
As you may not understand, my handle is Megan’s Law John Doe (Ex Post Facto), I’m at the beginning of this whole mess. I didn’t run, I fought them and won in court. I am an actual ex post facto challenger of the public notification of the registry known as “Megan’s Law” from New Jersey where it first started and found constitutional. On July 25th, 1995 ( 30 years ago ) I was granted Due Process under the 14th Amendment. I went from a Tier level 2 assessment into a Tier level 1 civil judgement by the court. ( 1 of 39 ) I’m a low level non violent “register only” offender placed into a public registry using H.R. 2137 that is for sexually violent offenders. This is the beginning of “#offendergate”. Had I challenged this in Somerset County New Jersey at this time things would have gone very very badly for all of us. They were working on creating a motive with someone out of A.D.T.C. ( THAT is all I will say )
Now fast forward to August 01, 2022. I was given some information for a reason best left unsaid for now. I had actually given up the fight an went on with what life I have left on the public registry wrongfully. I know what I went through I just didn’t understand the law. Several Attorney’s who I spoke with didn’t understand or didn’t want to understand either over the years. I was just beat down mentally by Sgt. Booth of the Lee County Sheriff Dept. as she was right and I was wrong. It has been a cat an mouse game on the chessboard for many many years. This information came with a heavy price. I asked for 3 years to settle it quietly an just let it go not knowing all I would uncover. A 4,500.00 legal assessment cost is what started my investigation. I’m not the villain I am a victim. We are the victims of a hidden punishment. What started out as a violation against me has blown up into 35,000 of us just in Florida. This H.R. 2137 is NATIONWIDE. I do not want to expose it thinking it needed to stay buried. But just like Bubbles yelled it’s gonna cost me a lot of money. No, it’s gonna cost me more then money, it’s gonna cost me my life. I’ve taken a public bashing in the past an raised above it. This time they will fear me to the point they will protest against me because they know that their hidden punishment is going to be exposed.
FAC-3 Thank you. You are a vital part for all of us. I would break bread with you anytime. I was pleased to read your post you presented about yourself and how you raised above it to inspire others to do the same.
Connie>>> Keep the faith. Your here for a reason.
For the record, I am not coming forward to destroy the registry. Give it a Mike Tyson left hook, OH YEAH! What I asked for is “FIX IT”. Nearly half of the registrants today should not be on a public registry who are low level non violent ex offenders. That is an additional punishment against us by being placed on a public registry for violent offenders. Read the Federal Amendment but know the real Megan’s Law and see what he did. They know it, I’m just waiting for the next move that puts them in checkmate. As of August 1, I can be called on at anytime now being obligated to expose what I know. I’m just waiting for their next move.
Hell, y’all happy waiting for 13 months to get back into a court for them to railroad us with bullshit but expect this information instantly. I’m playing their game an I have won, were all in this together. I will call on you one day, will you be there for me is the question? Many people want me to settle this as a single case and settle out of court for profit. I have a higher calling. Sometimes a higher calling that others don’t understand is the more important thing, sometimes not for ourselves but for the sake of others. I’ve been 5 moves ahead of them knowing their game they had to cheat to win. I caught them in the lie trying to cover it up.