Taylor jokes: I did Theismann a favor breaking his leg

The two parties involved in one of the most gruesome injuries in NFL history are now able to look back on the incident with some humor.

Speaking to a crowd at the Bronko Nagurski luncheon this week, Lawrence Taylor joked that the infamous 1985 play that left Joe Theismann with a broken leg wasn't such a bad thing for the longtime Washington Redskins quarterback.

"I did him a favor," Taylor said, according to Callie Caplan of USA Today. "That man was on his way out of football a long time before that. Listen, that was going to be his last year. He wasn't playing very well. I did him a favor."

Later sending back a wisecrack of his own, Theismann suggested it was the Hall of Fame New York Giants defender that benefited most from the incident.

"It’s just a shame that that’s the only thing he’s famous for, is breaking my leg," Theismann quipped to Josh Peters of USA Today.

Though he wouldn't play another snap in the NFL, the two-time Pro Bowler explained the unfortunate result could have been worse:

“You know, if you’re going to leave the game, you may as well be taken out by the greatest outside linebacker that ever played. That’s what happened to me.’’

Theismann also shared what he remembers of Taylor's words as he was carted off the field, when the linebacker responded to the quarterback's claim that he'd be able to return from the injury.

"That may be the case, pal, but that's not going to be tonight," Taylor said to Theismann.