Professional Career
Taylor was drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He won the UPI NFL-NFC Rookie of the Year award as a running back and became the first rookie in 20 years to finish in the NFL's top 10 in both rushing (sixth with 755 yards) and receiving (eight with 53 catches for 814 yards). His 53 receptions were a record for running backs at that time.
Although known as a successful running back, Taylor was switched to wide receiver in 1966 and led the NFL in receiving in both 1966 and 1967. He would play that position for the rest of his career and had a record-tying seven seasons with 50 or more receptions. On December 21, 1975, Taylor became the NFL's all-time receptions leader with his 634th career catch in the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Taylor retired after the 1977 season as the NFL's all time leading receiver with 649 receptions for 9,110 yards and 79 touchdowns. With 1,488 yards rushing and some kick return yardage, he totaled 10,803 combined net yards. With 11 rushing touchdowns and 79 on receptions, Taylor scored 540 points in his career. He earned first- or second-team All-NFL honors six times and was selected to play in eight Pro Bowls.
Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and was selected as one of the 70 Greatest Redskins of all time. In 1999, he was ranked number 85 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.
Read more about this topic: Charley Taylor
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