A regrettable piece of news shakes the sports world. Lionel Taylor, an emblematic figure of the Denver Broncos and a member of their prestigious Ring of Fame, has passed away.
Taylor, who was 89 years old, left this world on August 6, according to his family.
His legacy in American football is undeniable. Taylor was an integral part of the 1960 Broncos, in the inaugural year of the franchise in the then newly formed AFL. In addition, he became the first receiver in the history of the AFL or the NFL to achieve at least 100 receptions in a season.
It is believed that he was also the first African-American coach to be named a coordinator in the NFL.In his professional career, Taylor also served as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980 and 1981 seasons.
After not being selected in the 1958 NFL draft after his time at New Mexico Highlands University, Taylor played semi-professional football before entering the NFL in 1959 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
He was signed by the Broncos in 1960 and, on the offensive side, led the AFL in receptions in five of the league’s first six seasons. His 100 receptions in 14 games in 1961 marked a milestone in the history of professional football, a team record that stood until Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey each achieved at least 100 receptions in the year 2000.
Taylor’s 102.9 yards-per-reception average in 1960 (with 1,235 yards on 92 receptions in 12 games) still stands as a team record.
Taylor retired as a player after the 1968 season, his second with the Houston Oilers. In his seven seasons with the Broncos, he achieved at least 77 receptions on six occasions and surpassed 80 receptions on three occasions. He was one of four honorees in 1984, original members of the team’s Ring of Fame.
Currently, he ranks fourth in Broncos history in receptions (543) and receiving yards (6,872), and is tied for fifth in touchdown receptions (44).
In his long career as a coach, Taylor won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers, serving as a receivers coach with two future Hall of Famers, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, as wide receivers. Taylor used to joke: “Not much coaching was needed there.”
Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, a former Steelers player, has often cited Taylor as a major influence for African-American coaches in the years that followed.
Taylor also coached with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL; at Oregon State and Texas Southern (head coach) in the college ranks; and was head coach of the London Monarchs in the World League of American Football.
