Charley Taylor

Charles Robert Taylor (born September 28, 1941 in Grand Prairie, Texas) is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins. Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

During his tenure with the Redskins they reached the Super Bowl in 1973, (Super Bowl VII), after the 1972 season. They also made the playoffs four other times in the 1970s.

Early life
Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas was the second of seven children—four girls and three boys. He was raised by his mother Myrtle and step father James Stevenson. Myrtle was a domestic, a chef, a butcher, and an owner of a restaurant and Stevenson constructed parts for airplanes.

Taylor started playing sports while in junior high school and by the eighth grade he was playing football, baseball, basketball and competing in track.

High school career
Taylor attended and played high school football at Dalworth High School (the former segregated black high school, now an elementary school by the name of David Daniels. Dalworth High students moved to Grand Prairie High School). He also ran the high hurdles, threw the discus and shot put, and competed in the long jump for the track team. The school did not have a baseball team, but Taylor played baseball in a summer league. He was named All-State in track and football.

College career
Taylor attended and played college football at Arizona State University as a halfback and defensive back. He was selected as an All-American two years in a row and was also selected to the All-Western Athletic Conference team. Following his final season, he played in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl, and the All-American Bowl. He also played in the College All-Star Game against the Chicago Bears and was named the Most Valuable Player of the game. Taylor also pitched and played third base for the school’s baseball team. However, during baseball practice, he was hit on a knee by a line drive, which ended his baseball career.

Taylor was inducted into the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1975.

Professional career
Taylor was drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He won the UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year award as a running back and became the first rookie in 20 years to finish in the NFL's top 10 in both rushing (sixth with 755 yards) and receiving (eight with 53 catches for 814 yards). His 53 receptions were a record for running backs at that time.

Although known as a successful running back, Taylor was switched to wide receiver in 1966 and led the NFL in receiving in both 1966 and 1967. He would play that position for the rest of his career and had a record-tying seven seasons with 50 or more receptions. On December 21, 1975, Taylor became the NFL's all-time receptions leader with his 634th career catch in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Taylor retired after the 1977 season as the NFL's all time leading receiver with 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. With 1,488 yards rushing and some kick return yardage, he totaled 10,803 combined net yards. With 11 rushing touchdowns and 79 on receptions, Taylor scored 540 points in his career. He earned first- or second-team All-NFL honors six times and was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls.

Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was selected as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all time. In 1999, he was ranked number 85 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

Coaching career
After retiring, Taylor was hired to work in the front office with Bobby Mitchell as a scout. When Joe Gibbs became head coach of the Redskins in 1981, he selected Taylor to be the team's receiver coach. He served in that position from 1981 through 1994, when he was fired after Norv Turner became the new head coach.

After football
After he left coaching, Taylor worked for Jerry’s Ford in the Washington Metropolitan Area and sold boats for Fountain Boats in Annapolis, Maryland. He now does speaking engagements and serves as a consultant to the Redskins. In addition, the Charley Taylor Recreation Center in his native Grand Prairie, Texas has his namesake.

Personal
Taylor and his wife Patricia have been married since 1965. They have three children, Elizabeth, Erica, and Charles, Jr., and three grandchildren, Nathan, Jordyn, and Robin. Taylor and his wife live in Reston, Virginia.