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 August 6 at age 89. The team announced his death on Wednesday, August 14.
Taylor joined the Broncos’ inaugural team in 1960 after spending one season as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in 1959. He switched positions and became one of the most dominant receivers of his era, earning five All-AFL selections and three AFL All-Star honors during his seven seasons in Denver from 1960 through 1966.
The Kansas City, Missouri native made history in 1961 when he became the first professional player to reach 100 receptions in a season, finishing with 1,176 receiving yards in 14 games. Taylor led the American Football League in receptions five times during the league’s first six seasons, despite playing in a run-heavy era.
Taylor topped 1,000 receiving yards in four of his first six seasons with Denver. From 1960 through 1965, he averaged 84.7 catches for 1,070.7 yards and 7.2 touchdowns per year. His 6,872 receiving yards with Denver rank fourth in franchise history, while his 44 touchdown catches rank fifth. He held the franchise records for receptions and receiving yards for more than 30 years.
The Broncos honored Taylor as one of four inaugural inductees into their Ring of Fame in 1984. Taylor told NFL Films in 2024, “I think my story is important to the world because it’s my life story, and I lived it, and I enjoyed it.”
After leaving Denver in 1967, Taylor played his final two seasons with the Houston Oilers before retiring following the 1968 season. His career totals included 567 receptions for 7,195 yards and 45 touchdowns across 10 NFL seasons.
Taylor transitioned to coaching in 1970 as the wide receivers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He guided the careers of Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth, helping the team win two Super Bowl 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 held that position from 1980 through 1981, breaking a significant color barrier in professional football.
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy credited Taylor’s pioneering role as inspiration for his own career. Dungy noted that Taylor served as a crucial role model, making coaching careers possible for himself, Herm Edwards, and Ray Rhodes, all of whom later became head coaches.
Taylor continued his coaching career in the college ranks, serving as wide receivers coach at Oregon State from 1982 through 1983. He then became head coach at Texas Southern University from 1984 through 1988 before returning to the NFL as tight ends coach and passing game coordinator for the Cleveland Browns in 1989.
His coaching journey extended internationally when he joined the World League of American Football, which later became NFL Europe. Taylor served as offensive coordinator and eventually head coach for the London/England Monarchs before retiring in 1998 after nearly 30 years of coaching.
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. The same year, NFL Films released a feature special documenting his career and impact on the sport.
Taylor 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, often recording double-digit receptions per game when such numbers were unprecedented in either league.
The Broncos expressed their condolences on social media, acknowledging Taylor as an original Bronco and one of the most dominant players of his era who had tremendous impact on the franchise. The team extended sympathy to Taylor’s family and friends following the announcement of his death.