Who was Charley Taylor, the Washington Hall of Fame receiver who died at 80?

Washington Hall of Fame receiver Charley Taylor died at an assisted-living facility in Northern Virginia on Saturday at the age of 80.

“He represented the organization with excellence and class over three decades as a player and coach,” Commanders owners Dan and Tanya Snyder said in a statement. “Charley was a great man and will be sorely missed by all.”

The cause of death was not known. 

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Who was Charley Taylor?

Born on September 28, 1941, in Grand Prairie, Texas, Charley Taylor played college football at Arizona State. He was a standout for the Sun Devils and in his final season with the program, he competed in the College All-Star game against the Chicago Bears in 1964 and was voted as the Most Valuable Player.

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Washington selected Taylor third overall from Arizona State in 1964 and was the 1964 NFL rookie of the year. He played running back his first two seasons and was later switched to wide receiver in 1966. He led the NFL with 72 receptions that season and again in 1967 with 70.

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He went on to help Washington reach the Super Bowl after the 1972 season, where it lost 14-7 to Miami Dolphins. He retired after the 1977 season with 90 touchdowns, a Washington record that still stands.

Taylor was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All-1960s Team. The eight-time Pro Bowl selection was a first-team all-NFL pick in 1967.

Taylor was Washington’s receivers coach from 1981 through 1993, helping the team win three Super Bowls.