Broncos Great Lionel Taylor, First Player with 100 Catches in a Season, Dies at 89

Lionel Taylor, a former Denver Broncos star who made history as the first professional football player to record 100 receptions in a single season, has died. Taylor passed away on August 6 at the age of 89, the Broncos announced on Wednesday.

Taylor’s legacy extends far beyond his playing days. He was a four-time All-Pro and a trailblazing assistant coach who left an indelible mark on the sport for nearly three decades after his retirement.

A Groundbreaking Playing Career

While 10 players recorded 100 catches in the 2025 NFL season alone, the 100-catch plateau was a historical first that was set by Lionel Taylor in 1961. Playing for the American Football League's Denver Broncos, Taylor became the first player in professional football history to reach the milestone.

Taylor played for the Chicago Bears, Broncos, and Houston Oilers from 1959 to 1968, but he was a star in Denver. He played for the franchise from its inaugural season in 1960 through 1966, earning three AFL All-Star selections and leading the league in receptions five times, including his landmark 100-catch campaign. His 1961 season saw him produce 1,176 yards in just 14 games. Taylor’s outstanding contributions were recognized when he was named a member of the inaugural 1984 Broncos Ring of Fame.

A Trailblazing Coaching Legacy

After hanging up his cleats in 1968, Taylor immediately transitioned to coaching. He began as a receivers coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, where he guided the Hall of Fame careers of Lynn Swann and John Stalworth and won two Super Bowl rings with the franchise.

Taylor was also a groundbreaker, becoming the NFL's first Black offensive coordinator when he took on the role with the Los Angeles Rams from 1980 to 1981. He later coached at the college level, serving as the head coach for Texas Southern from 1984 through 1988, before returning to the NFL as the Cleveland Browns tight ends coach. Taylor would go on to coach in the World League of American Football, serving as the London/England Monarchs offensive coordinator and head coach.

In 2024, Taylor was honored for his remarkable career as one of 15 recipients of the Pro Football Hall of Fame's third annual Awards of Excellence. For a decade, he was a standout on the field, and for nearly 30 years he coached the game, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the sport.