Lionel Taylor, the legendary Denver Broncos wide receiver who became the first player in professional football history to record 100 catches in a single season, died on August 6 at age 89. The Broncos announced his death on Wednesday, August 13, after being notified by his family.
Taylor joined the inaugural Denver Broncos team in 1960 after spending one season as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in 1959. He switched positions upon joining the American Football League and became one of the most dominant receivers of his era. The Kansas City, Missouri native played seven seasons in Denver from 1960 through 1966 before finishing his playing career with two seasons for the Houston Oilers, retiring after the 1968 season.
In 1961, Taylor achieved a milestone that stood as a benchmark for future generations when he became the first professional football player to record 100 receptions in a single season. He accomplished this feat in just 14 games, totaling 1,176 yards during that historic campaign. The achievement came during an era when the game was heavily focused on running plays, making his receiving numbers even more remarkable.
During his prime years from 1960 through 1965, Taylor averaged 84.7 catches for 1,070.7 yards and 7.2 touchdowns per season. He led the AFL in receptions five times during the league’s first six seasons, earning recognition as a five-time All-AFL selection and three-time AFL All-Star. His career totals included 567 receptions for 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns across all teams.
With Denver, Taylor accumulated 543 receptions for 6,872 yards and 44 touchdowns. His receiving yardage total with the Broncos currently ranks fourth in franchise history, while his touchdown catches rank fifth. Taylor held the team records for receptions and receiving yards for more than 30 years before being surpassed by later players.
The Broncos recognized Taylor’s contributions by selecting him as one of four inaugural members of their Ring of Fame in 1984. He was also inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1970. AFL historian Dave Steidel described Taylor as having hands like vice grips, noting that if a pass was near him, he would catch it while regularly recording double-digit receptions per game when such numbers were unprecedented.
Following his playing career, Taylor transitioned into coaching and became a significant pioneer in that role. He began as a wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, where he guided Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. During his tenure with Pittsburgh, he won two Super Bowl rings as part of the coaching staff for Super Bowl IX and X victories.
Taylor moved to the Los Angeles Rams as wide receivers coach before making history in 1980 when he was promoted to offensive coordinator. This promotion made him the first Black coordinator in NFL history, breaking a significant color barrier that influenced future generations of coaches. He served in that role through the 1981 season.
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy credited Taylor as a crucial role model, indicating that Taylor’s pioneering role made it possible for him and other Black coaches like Herm Edwards and Ray Rhodes to eventually become head coaches. Dungy emphasized that their achievements “would not have happened without Lionel Taylor.”
Taylor continued his coaching career in the college ranks, serving as wide receivers coach at Oregon State from 1982-83 before becoming head coach at Texas Southern University from 1984-88. He returned to the NFL in 1989 as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. Taylor later joined the World League of American Football, which became NFL Europe, coaching the London Monarchs as offensive coordinator and eventually head coach before retiring in 1998.
In 2024, the Pro Football Hall of Fame recognized Taylor with one of its Awards of Excellence, honoring him as a significant contributor to the game. That same year, NFL Films released a feature special documenting his career and impact on professional football, during which Taylor reflected on his life story and expressed hope that people would enjoy learning about his journey.
The Broncos organization expressed their sadness at Taylor’s passing, acknowledging his tremendous impact on the franchise during his seven seasons in Denver. They described him as an original Bronco and one of the most dominant players of his era, extending condolences to his family and friends. No cause of death was provided by the family or the team.
