Lionel Taylor, the legendary Denver Broncos wide receiver who became the first player in professional football history to record 100 receptions in a single season, died on August 6 at his home near Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was 89 years old.
The Broncos announced Taylor’s death on Wednesday, August 13, after his family informed the team of his passing. Taylor played seven seasons with Denver from 1960 to 1966 and was an original member of the franchise when it began play in the American Football League’s inaugural season.
Taylor achieved his historic milestone in 1961 when he caught 100 passes in just 14 games, establishing a record that stood as a benchmark for professional football. His achievement came during an era when the game was heavily focused on running plays, making his receiving totals even more remarkable.
During his seven-year tenure with the Broncos, Taylor dominated AFL receiving statistics, leading the league in receptions five times in the AFL’s first six seasons. He never caught fewer than 76 passes in a season and averaged more than 80 catches per year during his first six seasons. His 84.7 catches per season from 1960 to 1965 ranked as the highest six-year total in football history at that time.
Taylor’s 102.9 receiving yards per game in 1960, when he finished with 1,235 yards on 92 catches in 12 games, remains a team record. He concluded his Broncos career as the franchise leader in receptions (543), receiving yards (6,872), and touchdown receptions (44). Taylor held the first two records for more than 30 years and still ranks in the top five in all three categories for the franchise.
The wide receiver’s path to professional football was unconventional. After going undrafted following his college career at New Mexico Highlands University in 1958, Taylor played semipro football before entering the NFL in 1959 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He switched both leagues and positions when he joined the newly formed Broncos in 1960.
Taylor was selected as a three-time AFL All-Star and earned five All-AFL selections during his career. From 1960 through 1965, he ranked first in the AFL and NFL in receptions with 508 catches, third in receiving yards with 6,424, and eighth in touchdown receptions with 43.
After leaving Denver in 1967, Taylor spent his final three seasons with the Houston Oilers, retiring after the 1968 season. His overall professional career included 567 receptions for 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Taylor was among four inaugural inductees into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984, cementing his legacy with the franchise. He was also inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
Following his playing career, Taylor transitioned into coaching and became a groundbreaking figure in NFL history. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers as a wide receivers coach in 1970 and worked with future Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Taylor earned two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, winning championships in Super Bowl IX and X.
In 1980, Taylor made history again when the Los Angeles Rams promoted him to offensive coordinator, making him the first Black coordinator in NFL history. He served in that role for two seasons, from 1980 to 1981. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy has credited Taylor as an important influence for African American coaches who followed.
Dungy indicated that Taylor served as a crucial role model, stating “It would not have happened without Lionel Taylor” when referring to his own coaching success alongside contemporaries Herm Edwards and Ray Rhodes.
Taylor’s coaching career extended beyond the NFL. He served as head coach at Texas Southern University from 1984 to 1988 and later worked with the Cleveland Browns as tight ends coach. He also coached in the World League of American Football, serving as both offensive coordinator and head coach for the London Monarchs 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 of football. The recognition acknowledged both his playing achievements and his pioneering role in coaching.
Taylor’s impact extended beyond statistics and records. AFL historian Dave Steidel described Taylor’s exceptional catching ability, noting that if a pass was near him, he would secure it, often catching 10, 11, or 12 passes per game when such numbers were unprecedented in either league.