Charley Taylor

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was the second of seven children. He was raised by his mother, Myrtle, and step father, James Stevenson. He began playing sports in junior high school. He played high school football at Dalworth High School. He earned all-state honors in both track and football. He played college football at Arizona State University as a halfback and defensive back. He was selected to the All-Western Athletic Conference team as a halfback. He also played in the College All-Star Game against the Chicago Bears in August 1964 and was named the most valuable player of the game. Taylor also pitched and played third base for the Sun Devils baseball team, but a line drive to his knee ended his baseball career. He was inducted into the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame as a charter member in 1975. Taylor was selected by Washington as the third overall pick of the 1964 NFL draft. He won the UPI rookie of the year award as a running back. He was switched to wide receiver in 1966 and led the NFL in receiving in both 1966 and 1967. In the 1972 NFC Championship Game, he scored one touchdown in Washington's win over the Dallas Cowboys. They lost in Super Bowl VII to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. In the season finale in 1975, Taylor passed Don Maynard and became the NFL's all-time receptions leader with his 634th career catch. Taylor retired following the 1977 season as the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 649 receptions, for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. His career receptions record stood until 1984, when he was passed by Charlie Joiner. He was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984, and was selected as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all time. After retiring, he worked in the Redskins' front office as a scout, became their receivers coach in 1981, and served on the coaching staff through 1993. He and his wife Patricia married in 1965. They lived in Reston, Virginia, and had three children. Taylor died on February 19, 2022, in Northern Virginia, at the age of 80.

In Their Own Story

The turning point in Charley Taylor’s legacy arrived on December 21, 1975, during the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that game, he caught his 634th career pass, surpassing Don Maynard to become the NFL's all-time receptions leader. By the time he retired following the 1977 season, Taylor had accumulated 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. His most pivotal moment came in 1972 when he scored two crucial touchdowns against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game, securing Washington's first-ever trip to the Super Bowl. Although they fell short in Super Bowl VII against the undefeated Miami Dolphins, Taylor’s performance in that championship run cemented his status as a franchise icon. He remained the league's active leader in receiving yards for four seasons following Maynard’s retirement.

Reader's Guide

Charley Taylor was a versatile offensive weapon who began his NFL career as a running back, winning Rookie of the Year, before switching to wide receiver and leading the league in receiving in 1966 and 1967. He retired as the NFL's all-time leader in receptions (649) and held that record until 1984. His 79 receiving touchdowns remain a Washington franchise record as of the 2024 season. He was a key part of Washington's 1972 NFC Championship team that reached Super Bowl VII.

Did You Know?

• Taylor was the first NFL rookie in 20 years to finish in the top 10 in both rushing and receiving in the same season.
• He had a record-tying seven seasons with 50 or more receptions.
• Taylor also played baseball at Arizona State until a line drive to his knee ended that career.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Early Life and Collegiate Foundation

Taylor was born in Grand Prairie, Texas, the second of seven children raised by his mother Myrtle and stepfather James Stevenson. He played football, baseball, basketball, and track by eighth grade. At Dalworth High School, he earned all-state honors in both track (high hurdles, discus, shot put, long jump) and football. He attended Arizona State University as a halfback and defensive back, earning All-Western Athletic Conference selection. In three seasons at ASU, he gained 1,995 yards from scrimmage with a 5.7-yard average and scored 25 touchdowns. Taylor also played baseball for the Sun Devils until a line drive hit his knee during practice, ending that career. He competed in the East-West Shrine Game, Hula Bowl, and All-American Bowl, winning MVP honors in the College All-Star Game against the Chicago Bears in August 1964. In 1975, he was inducted as a charter member of the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame.

NFL Playing Career and Records

Selected third overall by Washington in the 1964 NFL draft (also ninth by Houston Oilers in the AFL draft), Taylor signed with the Redskins. He won UPI Rookie of the Year, becoming the first rookie in 20 years to finish top-10 in rushing (sixth, 755 yards) and receiving (eighth, 814 yards). Switched to wide receiver in 1966, he led the NFL in receiving that year and again in 1967. He tied an NFL record with seven seasons of 50+ receptions. In 1972, his two touchdowns against Dallas propelled Washington to Super Bowl VII. On December 21, 1975, he passed Don Maynard for the all-time receptions lead (634th catch). Retiring after 1977, he held records with 649 receptions, 9,110 yards, and 79 touchdowns until Charlie Joiner surpassed his catches in 1984. His 79 receiving touchdowns remain a franchise record as of the 2024 season. He totaled 10,803 combined net yards (1,488 rushing) and scored 540 points.

Coaching Tenure with Washington

Following his retirement, Taylor served as a scout in the Redskins' front office alongside Bobby Mitchell. In 1981, under head coach Joe Gibbs, he became the receivers coach. He remained on the coaching staff through 1993 under Richie Petitbon but was not retained by new head coach Norv Turner in March 1994, concluding three decades of service to the franchise.

Legacy Honors and Personal Life

Taylor was named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984, selected as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, and ranked number 85 on The Sporting News' list of 100 greatest football players in 1999. He married Patricia in 1965; they lived in Reston, Virginia, with three children (Elizabeth, Erica, Charles Jr.) and three grandchildren (Robyn, Jordyn, Nathan). He later worked as a consultant for the Commanders and did speaking engagements. Taylor died on February 19, 2022, in Northern Virginia at age 80.