ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Broncos have lost one of their original Ring of Famers.
Former wide receiver Lionel Taylor passed away on Aug. 6, at the age of 89, his family confirmed.
Taylor, a member of the inaugural 1960 Broncos, was the first player in pro football history to record 100 catches in a season and retired as Denver's career receiving leader.
He finished his seven-year career in Denver as the all-time leader in receptions (543), receiving yards (6,872) and touchdown receptions (44). Despite playing in a far different era, Taylor held the first two records for more than 30 years and still ranks in the top five in all three categories.
A three-time American Football League all-star, Taylor led the AFL in receiving in five of the league's first six seasons. He caught 92 passes for 1,235 yards (13.4 average) and 12 touchdowns in 1960, and his 102.9 yards per game that year remain the highest single-season average in franchise history. Taylor added another 100 catches for 1,176 yards in 1961, and his reception total stood as a single-season franchise record for nearly four decades until it was broken in 2000.
"This was a guy [who had] hands like vice grips," AFL historian and author Dave Steidel said. "If a pass was near him, he was getting it. He caught double-digit passes [per game]. Nobody was catching 10, 11, 12 in a game back then in either league."
During his first six seasons with the Broncos, Taylor never caught fewer than 76 passes and averaged more than 80 catches a year. His 84.7 catches per season from 1960-65 ranked as the highest six-year total in football history at that time. In that same span, Taylor ranked first in the AFL/NFL in receptions (508), third in receiving yards (6,424) and eighth in touchdown receptions (43).
Taylor was among the four initial inductees into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984. He was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1970.
Following his time in Denver, Taylor ended his professional career with the Houston Oilers from 1967-68 before beginning an extensive coaching career. He won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Steelers and worked with Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth during a seven-year stint as the team's receivers coach in Pittsburgh, and he then worked as both the wide receivers coach (1977-79) and offensive coordinator (1980-81) for the Los Angeles Rams. According to NFL Films, Taylor made history as he became the first Black coach to hold a coordinator position in the NFL.
"We all need role models in life, and fortunately, there was a Lionel Taylor there that I could look at and say, 'Yeah, this is possible,'" Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy said in a 2024 NFL Films video. "I came in the league with Herm Edwards and Ray Rhodes, and we all became head coaches. It would not have happened without Lionel Taylor."
After a brief stint as the Oregon State receivers coach from 1982-83, Taylor served as Texas Southern's head coach from 1984-88. He would later work as the Browns' tight ends coach and, to conclude his coaching career, as the head coach of NFL Europe's London/England Monarchs.
In recent years, Taylor lived near Albuquerque, New Mexico and returned to a Broncos game to be honored by the team as recently as 2024.
"Denver is home," Taylor told NFL Films in 2024. "It will always be home."
Taylor grew up in West Virginia and later played both football and basketball at New Mexico Highlands University. He was not selected in the 1958 NFL Draft, but he played semipro football before eventually playing for the Bears — as a linebacker — in 1959. Taylor then joined the Broncos in 1960.
Taylor was born on Aug. 15, 1935.
Look back through late Ring of Fame wide receiver Lionel Taylor's time as a Bronco, from his historic career to his time as an alumnus returning for Ring of Fame ceremonies and more.
Lionel Taylor rests on the bench during a game in Denver, Colorado.
Frank Filchock with his all-league trio: end Lionel Taylor (87), defensive tackle Bud McFadin (80) and safety Austin "Goose" Gonsoulin (23).
Lionel Taylor tries to make a one-handed fingertip catch against the San Diego Chargers on November 7, 1965 at Bears Stadium in Denver, Colorado.
A portrait of Lionel Taylor.
A portrait of Lionel Taylor in the 1960s.
Denver Broncos quarterback Frank Tripucka (18) throws a pass to wide receiver Lionel Taylor (87) during a game against the Boston Patriots on October 23, 1960 in Denver, Colorado.
A headshot of offensive end Lionel Taylor.
A portrait of Frank Tripucka and offensive end Lionel Taylor.
Lionel Taylor watches the Ring of Fame activities at Invesco Field on October 5, 2008.
Ring of Famers Lionel Taylor, Floyd Little, Louis Wright, Billy Thompson and Charley Johnson join together with for a photo at the 2008 Ring of Fame dinner at Invesco Field.
Goose Gonsoulin greets Lionel Taylor on stage at the 2008 Ring of Fame dinner.
Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor poses for a photo in front of his pillar at Ring of Fame Plaza before the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll / Denver Broncos)
Fans meet former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor at his statue at Ring of Fame Plaza before the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll / Denver Broncos)
Fans meet former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor at his statue at Ring of Fame before the Broncos' Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on September 15, 2024. (Photo by Rachel O'Driscoll / Denver Broncos)
