Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor passes away at the age of 89 (Credit: AP)
Lionel Taylor, a legendary wide receiver for the Denver Broncos and an NFL star, died in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, on August 6, 2025. He was 89 years old. Taylor joined the Broncos in 1960 after starting his career with the Chicago Bears in 1959. There, he became the first player in professional football history to record 100 receptions in a season.
Taylor’s Historic LegacyTaylor set incredible numbers over his seven seasons with the Denver Broncos, accumulating 543 receptions, 6,872 receiving yards, and 44 touchdowns. In the American Football League (AFL), his accomplishments established a benchmark that persisted for many years. Taylor’s ‘hands like vice grips’, according to AFL historian Dave Steidel, enable him to catch almost any pass that is thrown to him. Following his retirement from playing, he went into coaching, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he helped them win two Super Bowls.
Taylor became the first Black offensive coordinator in NFL history when he was hired in the role by the Los Angeles Rams in 1980. He was a role model, according to Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy, who said, “It would not have happened without Lionel Taylor.” As a mentor to numerous young sportsmen, his impact on the game went beyond his playing and coaching responsibilities.
After being admitted to the hospital for more than two months due to a urinary tract infection in late 2024, Taylor’s health began to deteriorate. After going back home in July 2025, he entered hospice care and eventually died there. In their August 13 announcement of his passing, the Denver Broncos acknowledged him as “one of the most dominant players of his age.” His demise has caused great sadness in the football community, with many supporters and former players paying tribute to his career on social media by calling him “always a legend” and bidding him “rest well.”
As a player and coach, Lionel Taylor made revolutionary contributions to the NFL that have permanently changed the game and cemented his legacy.