Charley Taylor

Charles Robert Taylor (September 28, 1941 – February 19, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a wide receiver for 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils, he was selected by Washington in the first round of the 1964 NFL draft. With Taylor, the Redskins made the playoffs five times (1971–1974, 1976) and reached the Super Bowl once (VII), after the 1972 season. A six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Early life Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was the second of seven children, including four girls and three boys. Taylor was raised by his mother, Myrtle, and step father, James Stevenson. His mother was a domestic worker, chef, butcher and restaurant owner. His stepfather constructed parts for airplanes. He was selected to the All-Western Athletic Conference team as a halfback. In his three seasons at ASU, Taylor gained 1,995 yards from scrimmage and averaged 5.7 yards per carry, while also scoring 25 touchdowns.

Taylor also pitched and played third base for the Sun Devils baseball team. However, during baseball practice, he was hit on a knee by a line drive, which ended his baseball career. Taylor signed with Washington and won the UPI rookie of the year award as a running back, and became the first NFL rookie in 20 years to finish in the top 10 in the league in both rushing (sixth with 755 yards) and receiving (eighth, 53 receptions for 814 yards). They lost in Super Bowl VII by a score of 14–7 to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. Following Maynard's retirement in 1973, Taylor was the league's active leader in receiving yards for four seasons. He began 1974 with 7,470 yards, then 11th all-time, and climbed up to 4th.

Taylor retired following the 1977 season as the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 649 receptions, for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. As of the NFL 2024 season Taylor's 79 receiving touchdowns was still the franchise record. With 1,488 yards rushing and some kick return yardage, Taylor totaled 10,803 combined net yards. Along with his 11 touchdowns rushing, Taylor scored 540 points in his career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984, In 1999, he was ranked number 85 on The Sporting News list of its 100 greatest football players.

Coaching career After retiring, Taylor was hired to work in the Redskins' front office with Bobby Mitchell as a scout.

Personal life and death Taylor and his wife Patricia married in 1965. The Taylors lived in Reston, Virginia. They had three children, Elizabeth, Erica, and Charles Jr., and three grandchildren, Robyn, Jordyn, and Nathan.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Year Team Games Receiving Rushing GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD 1964 WAS 14 14 53 814 15.4 80 5 199 755 3.8 50 5 1965 WAS 13 13 40 577 14.4 69 3 145 402 2.8 39 3 1966 WAS 14 14 72 1,119 15.5 86 12 87 262 3.0 24 3 1967 WAS 12 12 70 990 14.1 86 9 – – – – – 1968 WAS 14 11 48 650 13.5 47 5 2 –3 –1.5 4 0 1969 WAS 14 14 71 883 12.4 88 8 3 24 8.0 18 0 1970 WAS 10 10 42 593 14.1 41 8 1 17 17.0 17 0 1971 WAS 6 6 24 370 15.4 71 4 – – – – – 1972 WAS 14 14 49 673 13.7 70 7 3 39 13.0 17 0 1973 WAS 14 14 59 801 13.6 53 7 1 –7 –7.0 –7 0 1974 WAS 14 14 54 738 13.7 51 5 1 –1 –1.0 –1 0 1975 WAS 14 14 53 744 14.0 64 6 – – – – – 1976 WASMissed season due to knee injury 1977 WAS 12 7 14 158 11.3 19 0 – – – – – Career 165 157 649 9,110 14.0 88 79 442 1,488 3.4 50 11