Jim Taylor, Hall of Fame Packers fullback, dead at 83
Former Green Bay Packers fullback Jim Taylor, a member of the NFL’s first Super Bowl championship team and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, died at the age of 83 on Saturday morning.
Taylor’s death was confirmed by Packers historian Cliff Christl in an announcement on the team’s website.
Jim Taylor’s Packer legacy
Taylor, who played for Green Bay from 1958 to 1966, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976, the first of several Vinca Lombardi-era Packers to receive the honor.
Taylor gained over 1,000 yards on the ground in each of five straight seasons between 1960 and 1964. He led the league in rushing in 1962, and led the Packers to that year’s NFL title. From Christl’s post commemorating Taylor’s life:
In the 1962 NFL Championship Game, played 17 days after he was voted MVP, Taylor delivered the most memorable performance of his career. In a brutal defensive battle, played in chilling temperatures, raw winds and on a Yankee Stadium field not much softer than concrete, Taylor carried 31 times and gained 85 yards as the Packers outlasted the New York Giants, 16-7. “Taylor isn’t human,” Giants middle linebacker Sam Huff said in awe after the game. “No human being could have taken the punishment he got today.”
Taylor was also part of the Packers’ title-winning teams in 1961 and 1965. He won four NFL championships in total, all with Green Bay, and was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame.
In addition to the team accomplishments, Taylor was a five-time Pro Bowler, and was named to the NFL’s All-Pro first team and second team three times apiece. His exploits landed him a place on the NFL’s 1960s all-decade team.
His place in NFL history was somewhat overshadowed by Jim Brown, the other fullback on the ’60s all-decade team. Brown was superior athletically, and eclipsed Taylor in almost all statistical categories. But Taylor was a key member of one of the NFL’s great dynasties.
The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native – and former LSU star – spent his final NFL season with the New Orleans Saints.
More from Yahoo Sports:
• 49ers apologize for Kaepernick photo snub
• A-Rod pays the ultimate price after losing bet
• Brewers pitcher’s stunning home run off Kershaw
• NLCS Game 1 shows what baseball is in 2018
