Legendary wide receiver Lionel Taylor, a member of the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame, passes away at the age of 89.
Remembering Lionel Taylor: A Pioneering Wide Receiver and Coach
Lionel Taylor, a trailblazing figure in both the NFL and AFL, passed away on August 6 at the age of 89. Taylor's career was marked by numerous records, accolades, and firsts that significantly shaped the history of professional football.
In 1961, Taylor made history by becoming the first player in professional football history to record 100 receptions in a single season with the Denver Broncos. This remarkable achievement set the stage for a prolific career that saw Taylor lead the AFL in receptions five times and never catch fewer than 76 passes in each of his first six seasons.
During his time with the Broncos, Taylor finished with 543 receptions for 6,872 yards and 44 touchdowns. His receptions and receiving yards totals still rank him among the top five in franchise history decades later. In 1960, Taylor had an AFL-high 92 catches for 1,235 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games, further cementing his status as one of the AFL's most dominant receivers.
Taylor's impact extended beyond his playing career, as he became a respected coach. He served as the wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he helped guide Hall of Famers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth and contributed to two Super Bowl championships in the 1970s. Taylor also made history off the field as the NFL's first Black offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Rams in 1980 and 1981.
Taylor's achievements marked major milestones in pro football history and helped to establish the AFL's legitimacy next to the NFL. His 100-catch season remained a landmark for decades, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. In recognition of his contributions, Taylor was inducted into the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1984 and was awarded the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Awards of Excellence in 2024.
[1] Denver Broncos official website [2] Pro Football Hall of Fame [3] Sports Reference [4] Los Angeles Times [5] The Washington Post
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