Latest news with #LionelTaylor
Kuwait Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Ex-Broncos receiver Lionel Taylor dies
Lionel Taylor LOS ANGELES: Lionel Taylor, a wide receiver on the inaugural 1960 Denver Broncos team and a member of the NFL club's Ring of Fame, has died at the age of 89, the Broncos said on Wednesday. In a tribute on its website, the club said Taylor's family had confirmed he died on August 6, but no cause of death was given. Taylor played on the Broncos team that joined the newly formed American Football League in 1960 and was the first receiver in either the AFL or NFL to have at least 100 receptions in a season. He finished his seven-year career in Denver as the club's all-time leader in receptions with 543, receiving yards with 6,872 and touchdown receptions with 44. He led the AFL in receiving in five of the league's first six seasons and was inducted in the Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984. He ended his playing career with the Houston Oilers before a groundbreaking coaching career. According to NFL Films, Taylor was the first Black coach to hold a coordinator position in the NFL. He was the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator in 1980-81, and Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy has cited Taylor as a key influence for Black coaches who followed him in the league. '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,'' 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.' Taylor earned two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers as their receivers coach—guiding two eventual Hall of Famers in Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Taylor was born on August 15, 1935. He played football and basketball at New Mexico Highlands University but after going unselected in the 1958 NFL draft played semi-pro football before joining the Bears in 1959 and making the switch to the Broncos in 1960. – AFP
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Denver Broncos icon Lionel Taylor passes away at 89 after historic NFL career
Lionel Taylor, one of the Denver Broncos' first star wide receivers and later a history-making NFL coach, died on August 6, 2025, in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. He was 89. Beginning his professional career with the Chicago Bears in 1959, Taylor found much success in Denver after joining the Broncos in 1960. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He was the first professional football player to reach 100 catches in a season. Following his retirement, he counseled the NFL, backing the Pittsburgh Steelers' two Super Bowl wins. The football community is grieving a true pioneer. Lionel Taylor's legendary career and NFL milestones Lionel Taylor was born on August 15, 1935, in Kansas City, Missouri. He grew up in West Virginia and played college football at New Mexico Highlands University. He was a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in 1959 and went on to play wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. Between 1960-66, he led the AFL in catches five times. In 1961, he became the first player in NFL or AFL history to have 100 receptions in a season. In seven years with Denver, he totalled 543 catches, 6,872 yards, and 44 touchdowns, records that lasted for decades. AFL historian Dave Steidel said Taylor had 'hands like vice grips' and could bring in almost any pass. After his playing career, Taylor coached with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning Super Bowls IX and X. In 1980, the Los Angeles Rams named him offensive coordinator, making him the NFL's first Black offensive coordinator. Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy called him a role model, saying, 'It would not have happened without Lionel Taylor.' Also Read: Tributes pour in after Lionel Taylor's death In December 2024, Lionel Taylor was hospitalized with a urinary tract infection and stayed in care for more than two months. He arrived back home in July 2025 just before entering hospice, passing away quietly on August 6. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Denver Broncos revealed his passing on August 13, labeling him among "one of the most dominant players of his age." As they honored his legacy and his humanity, followers and former players flooded social media with remarks like "Always a legend" and "Rest well, Sir LT."
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Lionel Taylor, record-setting Broncos receiver and coaching pioneer, dies at 89
FILE - Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor is photographed at Athlete's Performance, Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Roy Dabner, File) HR RD flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Lionel Taylor, record-setting Broncos receiver and coaching pioneer, dies at 89
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Lionel Taylor, who starred for the Denver Broncos in the 1960s and became the first wide receiver in pro football history to record a 100-catch season, has died. He was 89. His grandson, also named Lionel Taylor, told the team that Taylor died at his home near Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Aug. 6. The Broncos plan to honor Taylor during their preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night. Taylor was the first player in either the AFL or NFL to record 100 catches in a season and he's also believed to have been the first Black coordinator in NFL history. He served as the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator from 1980-81. Taylor wasn't drafted in 1958 after starring in both basketball and football at New Mexico Highlands. After playing semipro football for a year, he joined the Chicago Bears as a linebacker in 1959 before becoming a member of the Broncos' inaugural team in 1960. He led the new American Football League in receiving in five of the league's first six seasons, including in 1961, when he had 100 catches for 1,176 yards. He spent seven seasons in Denver, becoming the franchise's career receiving leader with 543 catches for 6,872 yards and 44 touchdowns. He finished his career by playing two seasons for the Houston Oilers in 1967-68. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Taylor, who was among the first players inducted into the Broncos' Ring of Fame in 1984, had an extensive coaching career after retiring as a player. He won two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1970s during his seven-year stint as the team's wide receivers coach. He also served as receivers coach for the Rams from 1977-79 and as their offensive coordinator from 1980-81. According to NFL Films, he was the first Black coordinator in the league. Taylor also served as receivers coach at Oregon State from 1982-83 and as Texas Southern's head coach from 1984-88. He later worked as the Cleveland Browns' tight ends coach and as head coach of NFL Europe's London/England Monarchs. ___ AP NFL:
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos great dies at age 89
Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor has died at age 89, the team said Wednesday. "We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF wide receiver Lionel Taylor," the team wrote on social media. "An original Bronco and one of the most dominant players of his era, Taylor had a tremendous impact on the franchise during his seven seasons in Denver (1960-66). Our hearts go out to Taylor's family and friends." Taylor joined the Broncos' inaugural team in 1960 after spending one season as a linebacker with the Chicago Bears in 1959. He then switched positions and became a legendary AFL wide receiver. Taylor, a five-time All-AFL selection and three-time AFL All-Star, led the upstart league in receiving in five of the AFL's first six seasons. Despite playing in a run-heavy era, he became the first pro to total 100 receptions in a single season (1961). He also topped 1,000 receiving yards in four of his first six years with the Broncos. Taylor's 6,872 receiving yards with Denver rank fourth in franchise history and his 44 touchdown catches rank fifth. He was added to the team's Ring of Fame with the first round of inductees in 1984. After leaving the Broncos in 1967, Taylor spent the final three years of his career with the Houston Oilers and then transitioned to coaching. He won two Super Bowls as a wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers and later served as a head coach at the college level and in NFL Europe. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
