Otis Taylor

Chiefs legend and Super Bowl IV hero Otis Taylor was a dominant wide receiver who led the AFL and NFL in receiving categories and spent his entire career in Kansas City.

Otis Taylor Jr. (August 11, 1942 – March 9, 2023) was an American professional football wide receiver who played in the American Football League (AFL). He played college football for the Prairie View A&M Panthers and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 1965 AFL draft. He was also selected in the 15th round of the 1965 NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but he chose to play in the AFL for the Chiefs where he would spend his entire career.

Quick Facts

Position: Wide receiver
Born: 11 August 1942
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, U.S.
Died: 9 March 2023
Place of death: Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
High school: Worthing (Houston)
College: Prairie View A&M
Draft year: 1965

Lore & Background

Taylor was born on August 11, 1942, in Houston to Lillian Lee and Otis Taylor Sr. He was raised by his mother and older sister, Florence (Odell). He attended Evan E. Worthing High School, where he was the football team's quarterback, played basketball, and ran track. He was an All-State quarterback in football. Taylor attended Prairie View A&M University on a basketball scholarship, but became a star receiver on its football team.

He was originally the team's quarterback until his sophomore year, when he was replaced. Taylor had 42 touchdown catches in four years, and as a senior he was named an NAIA first-team All-American. The Pittsburgh Courier selected him to its second-team All American squad. He was inducted into Prairie View's Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.

In 1972, the school retired his number 17. In 2016, he was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Taylor was selected in the fourth round of the 1965 AFL draft (Chiefs) and the 15th round of the NFL draft, by the Philadelphia Eagles. After a famous 'baby-sitting' incident, he was signed for the Chiefs by scout Lloyd Wells.

He made the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl twice and in 1971 was named Consensus All-Pro. As of December 2025, Taylor ranks in the Chiefs' all-time list in receptions (6th, 410), receiving yards (3rd, 7,306), receiving touchdowns (3rd, 57), and yards per game (9th, 56.2). He was also an excellent downfield blocker. Taylor combined with running back Robert Holmes for what was at the time the longest reception in Chiefs history in 1969.

His most memorable highlight came in Super Bowl IV, where he caught a 46-yard touchdown. Taylor suffered a car accident in June of 1974. He was plagued by trouble with his knees by 1975. In May of 1976, he was traded to the Houston Oilers, but was cut by the team, having never played a down for the team.

The Professional Football Researchers Association named Taylor to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2006. He was inducted into the Chiefs Ring of Honor in 1982.

Reader's Guide

Otis Taylor was a wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 to 1975. He was a key player in the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV victory. He led the AFL in yards per reception in 1966 and the NFL in receiving yards in 1971. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and Consensus All-Pro in 1971. He ranks among the Chiefs' all-time leaders in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. After playing, he scouted for the Chiefs for 11 years.