Former Chiefs star wide receiver Otis Taylor dies at age 80

Otis Taylor (Google Images)

According to the Associated Press, former Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Otis Taylor of Houston, Texas passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday of Parkinson’s Disease. Taylor played 11 National Football League seasons from 1965 to 1975.

Taylor had 410 catches for 7306 yards and 57 touchdown catches. He also had 30 rushes for 161 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

In 1966, Taylor was a Pro Bowler for the first time. He had a career-high 1297 receiving yards, and led the American Football League with 22.4 yards per reception. It was a little surprising that Taylor led the AFL in yards per reception, but not receiving yards. That honour belonged to San Diego Chargers flanker Lance Alworth of Houston, Texas, who had 1383 receiving yards.

In 1967, Taylor led the AFL in touchdown catches with 11. In 1971, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second time and was the runner up to the NFL’s most valuable player, as he was only behind Minnesota Vikings defensive back Alan Page of Canton, Ohio in voting. Taylor had 57 catches for a NFL high 1110 yards and also led the NFL in yards per game with 79.3. Then in 1972, he was selected to the Pro Bowl for a third and final time. Taylor had 57 catches for 821 yards and six touchdowns.

Taylor was part of the Chiefs team that won Super Bowl IV. He had six catches for 81 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown catch as the Chiefs defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23-7 on January 11, 1970. Taylor had great chemistry throughout his professional football career, with Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson, who died on August 24, at the age of 87.

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