Raising both arms, football in one hand, signaling touchdown, is how I often observed Washington Redskins wide receiver Charley Taylor during my childhood into teenage years.
The Washington Commanders announced Taylor’s death Saturday. Born in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Sept. 28, 1941, Taylor starred at Dalworth High School in Grand Prairie, and then Arizona State (1961-63).
Taylor’s impressive numbers for his senior season as a Sun Devil, 6.8 yards per carry and 19.7 yards per reception, resulted in Washington selecting Taylor in the 1964 draft (3rd overall).
In his rookie season with Washington, all Charley accomplished was becoming the first player in NFL history to gain 700 yards rushing and receiving from scrimmage. Taylor accumulated 815 receiving yards and 755 rushing yards, earning him the NFL Rookie of the Year and the Pro Bowl.
Wearing No. 42 his entire career with Washington (1964-77), Taylor retired as the NFL-All time receptions leader (649) following the 1977 season. Those who would retire as the all-time receptions leader later would be Charlie Joiner, Steve Largent, Art Monk and Jerry Rice.
Taylor concluded his great career with those 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. Consequently, he was deservedly voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 1984 along with Willie Brown, Mike McCormick and Arnie Weinmeister.
Taylor led the NFL in receptions two seasons (1966, 1967) as part of what may have actually been Washington’s greatest receiving trio. Taylor and Bobby Mitchell both Hall of Famers along with TE Jerry Smith, were all three together for the 1965-68 seasons. The latter “Posse” of course was coined for Art Monk, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders who played together more seasons, from 1986-92.
I recall Washington starting out on fire in George Allen’s first season (1971) winning their first five games to be 5-0, going to Kansas City to play Len Dawson, Willie Lanier and the Chiefs. Washington led in the first half and when Charley Taylor was tackled going into the end zone to make it 17-6, Taylor immediately grabbed for his ankle. It was a broken ankle, and though Washington started the season 5-0, they would only go 4-4-1 the rest of the way without Taylor.
I recall how Taylor came up big in the 1972 NFC Championship game against defending Super Bowl champion Dallas at RFK. He beat Charley Waters deep for a 51-yard pass and then inside for a 15-yard slant-pattern touchdown. In the second half, Taylor caught a 45-yard touchdown as Washington routed Dallas 26-3 on their way to the Super Bowl VII.
Taylor at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds combined speed with strength, accumulating many big plays over the span of his career. For instance, Taylor had touchdowns of 65, 66, 70, 71, 74, 78, 80, 86 (2) and 88 yards.
Throughout those Joe Gibbs years of 1981-1992, it was a joy to see Taylor on the sidelines coaching up his wide receivers. Recalling how Taylor could run with the ball, block and was tough physically, I wondered how much of an impact he must have had on some of the receivers he coached, such as Monk, Clark, Sanders, Alvin Garrett and Charlie Brown. Monk is a Hall of Famer and Clark has often been debated as one deserving of the honor.
Rest in peace, Charley Taylor, a job well done for the Washington Redskins on the field, and as a coach.