Lionel Taylor, Broncos pioneer and first Black NFL coordinator, dies

Lionel Taylor, a pioneering figure for the Denver Broncos and a landmark in professional football history, died on August 6 at age 89, with the team confirming the loss days later. Taylor was a cornerstone of the Broncos’ early AFL era, the first NFL or AFL receiver to reach 100 receptions in a season, and later a trailblazing coach who helped open doors for Black coordinators in the league.

Taylor joined the Broncos on their inaugural 1960 squad after a single season with the Chicago Bears as a linebacker. He quickly shifted to wide receiver, a move that would define his career. In 1960 he posted career highs in receiving yards and touchdowns, and by 1961 he became the first pro football receiver to reach 100 receptions in a season, doing so in 14 games. Over seven seasons in Denver, he emerged as the franchise’s all‑time leader in receptions (543), receiving yards (6,872) and touchdown catches (44 at the time of his departure), records that stood for decades and keep him among the top five in all three categories in Broncos history.

Taylor was a central figure in a run‑heavy era yet excelled as a receiver who could stretch defenses. He led the AFL in receptions five times...