A regrettable news shakes the world of American football. Lionel Taylor, an original legend of the Denver Broncos and a member of the team’s Hall of Fame, has passed away.
Taylor’s family confirmed that the former player, 89, died on August 6. His legacy in the sport is undeniable.
Taylor was part of the 1960 Broncos team, in the franchise’s first year in the newly formed AFL. He was the first receiver in AFL or NFL history to have 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.Taylor was offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in the 1980 and 1981 seasons.
After his playing career at New Mexico Highlands University, Taylor was not selected in the 1958 NFL draft. He played semi-professional American football before entering the NFL in 1959 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
He was signed by the Broncos in 1960 and, on offense, led the AFL in receptions in five of the league’s first six seasons. His 100 receptions in 14 games in 1961 were the first season of its kind in professional football history and was a team record that stood until Rod Smith and Ed McCaffrey each had at least 100 receptions in 2000.
Taylor’s average of 102.9 yards per reception per game (finished with 1,235 yards on 92 receptions in 12 games) in 1960 is still 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 had at least 77 receptions six times and surpassed 80 receptions three times. He was one of the four original members of the team’s Hall of Fame in 1984.
Still ranks fourth in Broncos franchise history in receptions (543) and receiving yards (6,872) and is tied for fifth in touchdown receptions (44).
In a long career as a coach, Taylor won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a wide receivers coach, with two future Hall of Famers, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, as wide receivers. Taylor used to joke, “not much training 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 since.
Taylor also trained with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL; Oregon State and Texas Southern (head coach) at the college level; and was head coach of the London Monarchs in the World League of American Football.
