Lionel Taylor dies at 89

Former Denver Bronco Lionel Taylor, a record setting receiver and trailblazing coach, has died at age 89.

Lionel Taylor Dies at 89 Broncos Pioneer and Record Setter

Lionel Taylor, an original Denver Bronco and a member of the teams Ring of Fame, has died at age 89, the team announced. Taylor passed away on August 6, according to his family. He joined the Broncos in 1960, the AFLs first year, and became the first receiver in AFL or NFL history to reach 100 receptions in a season, doing so in 1961. He also set a Broncos single season yardage record with 1,235 yards on 92 catches in 1960. Over seven seasons in Denver (1960-66), he was a dominant force, leading the AFL in receiving in five of the leagues first six seasons and leaving the franchise high marks still noted today. Taylor later played for the Oilers before retiring in 1968 and entered coaching, including a stint as the Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator in 1980-81. His time with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a receivers coach earned two Super Bowl rings, as he mentored future Hall of Famers. He also coached in college and spent time with the London Monarchs in the World League. Taylor is remembered as an original Bronco and a pioneer who helped shape both the field and the coaching ranks, with a lasting legacy noted by peers and historians.

Taylor’s career spans two eras of football: the rough early AFL days and the later, television-driven NFL. He shows how a player can set enduring records and then influence the game from the sidelines. His story reflects broader threads in sports history, including the push for minority coaches to reach leadership roles. The Broncos’ tribute and Tony Dungys remarks underline a lasting legacy beyond wins and losses. The risk is that headlines can gloss over the broader context of race and opportunity in the league, so careful history matters.

Highlights

Legacy endures in the records and in the players he mentored.