John Taylor

Lore & Background

Taylor's 1989 season was defined by two huge games. In Week 14 against the Los Angeles Rams, he had 11 catches for 286 yards receiving, including touchdown catches of 92 and 96 yards, as the 49ers came back from a 27–10 fourth-quarter deficit to win 30–27. Earlier in the season, in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Taylor was part of a 49ers offense that saw Joe Montana throw for 428 yards and five touchdowns in a 38–28 comeback win. Taylor's ability to stretch the field made him a critical part of the 49ers' dominant playoff run, where the team outscored opponents 126–26 and won Super Bowl XXIV 55–10 over the Broncos.

In Their Own Story

The Rams had already beaten the 49ers earlier in the year and looked poised to do it again, leading 27–10 in the fourth quarter. But John Taylor had other plans. He caught a 92-yard touchdown pass from Joe Montana, then later hauled in a 96-yard touchdown catch. With Roger Craig's 1-yard touchdown run late, the 49ers took the lead and won 30–27. Taylor finished with 11 catches for 286 yards receiving, one of the greatest regular-season performances in team history. Joe Montana was 30 for 42 and passed for 458 yards that day.

Reader's Guide

John Taylor was used primarily as a punt returner during his first two seasons with the 49ers, but in 1989 he broke out as a wide receiver. That season, he caught 60 passes for 1,077 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also returning 36 punts for 417 yards. His deep speed made him a perfect complement to Jerry Rice, who caught 82 passes for 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns that same year. Taylor's production helped the 49ers lead the NFL in scoring (442 points) and total yards from scrimmage (6,268). He was selected to the NFC Pro Bowl for his efforts.

Did You Know?

• John Taylor had 11 catches for 286 yards in a Week 14 comeback win over the Rams, including touchdown catches of 92 and 96 yards.
• In 1989, Taylor returned 36 punts for 417 yards in addition to his receiving production.
• Taylor was used primarily as a punt returner during his first two seasons before breaking out as a wide receiver in 1989.
• Taylor earned a spot on the NFC Pro Bowl roster for his 1989 season.