Lionel Taylor, the former Denver Broncos star wide receiver who became the first Black coach to hold a coordinator position in the NFL, has died. He was 89.
Taylor died on Aug. 6, the Broncos said in a news release. No cause of death was given.
Taylor, a 10-year NFL veteran, was a member of the inaugural Denver Broncos team in 1960. He became the first player in pro football history to record 100 catches in a season and retired as Denver’s career receiving leader. He ranks fourth in Broncos history in receptions (543) and receiving yards (6,872), and fifth in receiving touchdowns (44).
Taylor played his rookie season for the Chicago Bears in 1959 before playing seven seasons in Denver, earning four All-Pro First Team honors and three Pro Bowl selections. He also played two seasons for the then-Houston Oilers before retiring from the NFL after the 1968 season. He was inducted into the Broncos Ring of Honor as one of four initial inductees in 1984.
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of #BroncosROF wide receiver Lionel Taylor,” the Broncos wrote in a post to X. “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.”
After his playing career, Taylor became an NFL assistant coach as a wide receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970. He won two Super Bowls with Pittsburgh and coached Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth.
Taylor took on the same position with the Los Angeles Rams and made history in 1980 when he was promoted to become the NFL’s first Black offensive coordinator from 1980-81. He also coached in the college ranks, serving as wide receivers coach at Oregon State from 1982-83 and as the head coach at Texas Southern University from 1984-88. He returned to the NFL in 1989 as the tight ends coach and passing game coordinator for the Cleveland Browns.
In 2024, NFL Films released a feature special on Taylor’s career and impact in Denver and across the NFL.
“I think my story is important to the world because it’s my life story, and I lived it, and I enjoyed it,” Taylor told NFL Films. “And I hope people enjoy it. Because I tried. I tried my best.”
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