Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Lionel Taylor has died at the age of 89, his family confirmed. Taylor was the wide receivers coach with the Steelers from 1970 to 1976 under Chuck Noll, winning two Super Bowls with the team.
Before he was a coach, Taylor was a top wide receiver in Denver Broncos history from 1960 to 1966. He was undrafted out of New Mexico Highlands before being signed by the Chicago Bears. He finished his career with the Houston Oilers.
During his years with the Broncos, Taylor was first-team All-AFL four times and led the league in receptions five times. He finished his career with over 7000 receiving yards.
Taylor’s coaching career started with the Steelers as their wide receivers coach before spanning the NFL and college ranks. He left to coach the Los Angeles Rams in the same role after 1976 before becoming their offensive coordinator in 1980.
In college, Taylor would go on to become the Texas Southern head coach from 1984 to 1988, and was the head coach of the London Monarchs from 1996 to 1998.
Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette says Taylor died on August 6 and battled health issues late in his life.
“Grandson Lionel Lapham said Lionel Taylor died Aug 6 at home in Rio Rancho NM Was put to hospital Dec 20 for 69 days with urinary infection & got better Back in hospital in July for 2 weeks & then in hospice 15 day Also heart issues To be cremated next week Public service pending,” Tomasson posted on X.
Taylor was born in Kansas City, but played his high school football at Buffalo High School in West Virginia. From there, he would go play college football in New Mexico before proving himself as a star in the AFL.
Taylor is in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame for being one of their early legends.
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