Charley Taylor facts for kids
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Taylor in 2019
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| Position: | Wide receiver, Halfback |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | September 28, 1941 Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S. |
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| Died: | February 19, 2022 (aged 80) Ashburn, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school: | Dalworth (Grand Prairie, Texas) | ||||||||||||||
| College: | Arizona State | ||||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1964 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3 | ||||||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964 / Round: 2 / Pick: 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Charles Robert "Charley" Taylor (born September 28, 1941 – died February 19, 2022) was an amazing American football player. He played as a wide receiver for 13 seasons with the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football, he was picked by Washington in the 1964 NFL Draft.
With Charley Taylor on the team, the Redskins made it to the playoffs five times. They even reached the Super Bowl once in 1972. He was chosen as an All-Pro player six times and went to the Pro Bowl eight times. In 1984, he was honored by being put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Charley Taylor's Early Life and Sports
Charley Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was the second of seven children in his family. His mother, Myrtle, and stepfather, James Stevenson, raised him. His mother worked as a chef and owned a restaurant. His stepfather built airplane parts.
Charley started playing sports when he was in junior high. By eighth grade, he was playing football, baseball, basketball, and running track. In high school, he played football at Dalworth High School. For track and field, he was good at hurdles, discus throw, shot put, and long jump. Even though his high school didn't have a baseball team, he played in a summer league. He earned special honors in both track and football for his state.
Charley Taylor's College Football Star Career
Charley Taylor played college football at Arizona State University (ASU). He played as a halfback (a player who runs with the ball) and a defensive back (a player who stops the other team). He was chosen for the All-Western Athletic Conference team as a halfback.
After his last season at ASU, Charley played in several special college games. He was even named the most valuable player in the College All-Star Game in 1964. During his three years at ASU, Taylor gained 1,995 total yards and scored 25 touchdowns (when a player crosses the goal line with the ball).
Charley also played baseball for ASU as a pitcher and third baseman. However, his baseball career ended when he was hit on the knee by a fast ball during practice. In 1975, Charley Taylor was one of the first people to be put into the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame.
Charley Taylor's Amazing NFL Career
Charley Taylor was picked by the Washington Redskins as the third player overall in the 1964 NFL Draft. He also had an offer from the Houston Oilers in another league, but he chose Washington.
Rookie Year Success
In his first year, Charley won the NFL Rookie of the Year award. He played as a running back (a player who mainly runs with the ball). He was one of the best in the league, finishing sixth in rushing yards (755 yards) and eighth in receiving (53 catches for 814 yards). His 53 catches were a record for running backs at that time.
Switching Positions
Even though he was a great running back, Charley was moved to wide receiver (a player who mainly catches passes) in 1966. He became a star at this new position! He led the NFL in catches in both 1966 and 1967. He played wide receiver for the rest of his career. He had a record-tying seven seasons where he made 50 or more catches.
Breaking Records
In 1972, Charley scored two touchdowns in a big game against the Dallas Cowboys. This win sent the Redskins to their first Super Bowl. They played in Super Bowl VII but lost to the undefeated Miami Dolphins.
In 1975, Charley Taylor broke a huge record. He became the NFL's all-time leader in catches with his 634th career catch. He retired after the 1977 season with 649 catches, 9,110 receiving yards, and 79 touchdowns. His record for most catches stood until 1984.
Charley was named to the National Football League 1960s All-Decade Team, meaning he was one of the best players of the 1960s. He was put into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984. He was also chosen as one of the "70 Greatest Redskins" of all time. In 1999, he was ranked number 85 on a list of the 100 greatest football players ever.
After Playing: Coaching Career
After he stopped playing, Charley Taylor worked for the Redskins in their front office. He became their receivers coach in 1981, helping other players learn how to catch passes. He coached until 1993, spending three decades with the team.
Charley Taylor's Family and Later Life
Charley Taylor married his wife, Patricia, in 1965. They lived in Potomac Falls, Virginia. They had three children: Elizabeth, Erica, and Charles Jr. They also had three grandchildren: Robyn, Jordyn, and Nathan. Charley often gave speeches and worked as a consultant for the Commanders (the team's new name).
Charley Taylor passed away on February 19, 2022, in Northern Virginia. He was 80 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Charley Taylor para niños
