The induction of Otis Taylor into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is way overdue. It should have happened decades ago. We need to do something about this immediately!!
@Gardner Barnes Totally agree the Swann bashing on social media comment sections is BEYOND tired at this point. He was a fantastic wide receiver & yes Otis Taylor, Lionel Taylor, Sterling Sharpe, Cliff Branch, Drew Pearson, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Isaac Curtis, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Stanley Morgan, Wesley Walker, Wes Chandler, & John (JJ) Jefferson ALL deserve enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame but that DOESN'T mean Lynn Swann don't belong as well this opinion coming from a Dallas Cowboys fan who can't stand the Pittsburgh Steelers for goodness sake.
Before Walsh there was Stram. Before Montana there was Lenny the Cool. Before Craig there was Podalak and before there was a Rice there was Otis Taylor. Best receiver of his time. Just ain't right him not being in HOF. Check out his average yd on pass reception. HOF! Oke doke
@@lwmson - OMG i didnt.know Mike Garret isnt there also!! Yea there are alot of players who aren't there but i will say this theres alot there that don't belong there ahead of Mike & Otis!!
Otis Taylor was absolutely instrumental to the Chiefs going to and winnng Super Bowl 4--first in a playoff game against the Jets he caught a 61 yd pass from Dawson (that Taylor himself had designed in the dirt of Shea Stadium) that was the turning point in a 13-6 win. Then in the 1969 AFL Championship Taylor caught a pass thrown from the endzone when it looked like Dawson would be sacked for a safety--then in the Super Bowl his catch in the 4th quarter against the Vikings clinched the SB for the Chiefs 23-7
Actually David, with all due respect, while it's true that 61 yard pass play by Otis Taylor you cited DID lead to the game-winning TD reception by Gloucester Richardson in that 13-6 playoff game win over the New York Jets in December 1969 at old Shea Stadium I believe the turning point of that game came on the previous series: the Jets had a first and goal on the Chiefs' 1 yard line after a pass interference penalty against the Chiefs in the end zone early in the fourth quarter with the Chiefs leading 6-3. The Jets tried to run it into the end zone twice but they failed on both attempts and on third down the Chiefs' defense put HEAVY PRESSURE on Jets QB Joe Namath and forced him to throw the ball away. The Jets had to settle for a game-tying FG by their PK Jim Turner.
I honestly thought Mr. Taylor was in the HOF. Shame and WTF to all those responsible for this Man not being in the HOF. Mr. Otis Taylor was the one receiver that every DB feared in the late 60's and early 70's. I remember watching Mr. Taylor and the KC Chiefs in Superbowl 4 and it was obvious that what we were watching was truly greatness. Get it right sportswriters and put this man where he belongs, and that is in the Hall of Fame!
Otis IS definitely a Hall of Famer. As a little kid I watched him torch great HOFrs every Sunday. Back when the players were ruthless and the cheerleaders were female .
A wonderful man. I coached little league football for a couple of years in Oak Grove, MO, about 30 miles East of KCMO in 1972-74. One afternoon at practice Otis payed a visit and signed some footballs for us and talked with us. For a wonderful played like him to take his time and visit young players like he did impressed me as much as his amazing talent on the field. God Bless.
One of my three favorites of all time. Beautiful to watch. One of the best ever at "circus catches " and arguably the most dangerous receiver after he caught the ball to ever play the game alongside Lance Alworth and Paul Warfield.
I was 11 one Sunday when I turned on the TV and the first thing that came on was number 89 making a circus catch, I saw that catch in this video, the circus catch against Denver. A couple of days later I took a perfectly good sweat shirt and with a red magic marker I drew the number 89 and the name Taylor on the back of it, that was the start of becoming an NFL fan.
This phenom of an athlete has been my idol and role model to commitment of excellence and determination since I first saw him play in 1970; I am 57 now, and still try, daily, to instil in my young player, what he, without ever knowing, instilled in me. I will forever revere Otis #89 Taylor. What an athlete, what a man! "Coach" Scot T. Smith Sr.
I am stunned that Otis Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame. In my opinion he is one of the most talented an gifted receivers to ever play the game. Regardless of stats, he was a true talent. He had a way of running and moving that was as graceful as a gazelle. A truly unique style and all world talent. i watched him as a child in the 1960's. Unbelievably good player. One of the best of all time, no doubt.
Otis played at a time when guys didn't run out of bounds or go to the ground after they got caught. That's what lead to him having concussion problems. If his family didn't have to sue the NFL for his medical care he would be in the Hall of Fame already.
Watching film on Otis Taylor makes me want to 😢 cry, he was so good. He was a real terror. The opposition feared him. I guess because he came from Houston, is the reason I loved to watch him play. He owned the Oilers. Plus, the Cowboys didn’t get him, could you imagine ? Truly, one of a kind. Brother Otis from Worthing HS and Prairie View U. ❤️
Growing up in Seattle before the Hawks, the Raiders were the team to root for. And even though I was a Raider fan, and the Chiefs were their big rival, Otis Taylor was my favorite receiver. He was just that good. He had a great move on short out passes where he seamlessly looked like he was going to turn upfield toward the sideline, plant his foot, and spin back, leaving the defender grabbing air. My favorite move playing sandlot football in junior high.
Because of all the inflated number of catches in today's football there is some argument that he did not have enough catches/yards for a long enough time... it's ridiculous.. he was the first of the large WR with great hands, speed and dangerous after he caught the ball while the rest of the teams had Lance Alworth, Fred B/warren wells, Maynard/Sauer etc (they were great but a different model) ... behind him were the great generation of WR's who followed him.. Good example is John Stallworth ... As Howard Cosell said the Incomparable Otis Taylor on Monday Night Football.. Curt Gowdy etc marveled at his talent... let's make it happen for Otis
Otis Taylor was fluid, electric and dynamite quality explosive!! All the receivers that played in the Sixties and Seventies are undersold because Defensive Backs got away with murder in that era. Now, a Defensive Back can't belch on a wideout and not get flagged!! Watching these clips it's little wonder that the Chiefs literally kidnapped him from NFL Babysitters. It's asinine that Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame. Both Taylor and Cliff Branch of the Raiders are no Brainer Hall of Famers. Time for common sense to rule again in the Hall's selection process.
Sadly, this new trend of labeling players the GOAT, especially the receivers, whom I shall keep nameless, is more for commercial appeal these days only. And the players who relish being called GOAT should go back in the archives, look at the footage of Otis Taylor, drop their egos, and say, I was good, but Otis Taylor is the real GOAT. I am sure he will go into the HOF now as he was so helpless in his final days; I believe it would not have been easy to put him there in his condition. It's better now than when he was helpless. However, they had many years beforehand to do so. Otis, you have crossed the goal line again for the last time. Thank you for entertaining us so gracefully. How you ran, your high knee action, your elusiveness as a runner, and your concentration in catching the football, with bare hands, no sticky gloves, spotless and no juggling the ball. You were Mr. WBIH (Watch Ball In Hands), And your sweet method of spiking the ball. Is no doubt in my mind who the real GOAT is. Number 89 OTIS TAYLOR! Go In Peace, My Brother!
Did anyone else notice some of the great downfield blocks in some of those plays? It seems like something that we don't see enough of in today's game. Of course, Otis had the moves to make ridiculous plays on his own. He was a talented dude, and a really nice, humble man. I met him once back in '91 or '92 and got his autograph on a football that I still have today. And I agree with everyone who thinks that he should be in the HOF.
My dad told me " Honor your mother, and be a Chiefs fan". That was 1968, been a fan ever since. Watching Otis play was in awe of the poetry in motion. I was 7 at the time. Mom and I watched superbowl 4 and 54 together. Hall of fame put him in, he deserves it.
The strongest case for #89 being in the PFHOF is the story about him being "kidnapped" by KC from hotel room where Dallas Cowboys had him stashed away following draft. Then in what NFL Films calls the wide open Hank Stram "Wild Wild West" offense, it wouldn't be wide open if it weren't for Taylor, one of the two or three most dominant wide receivers in the NFL. He made the key catch in the AFL Championship game that turned the game, and made the final touchdown in AFL history in Super Bowl IV. Numbers are unimpressive, but only by modern standards. His numbers were stellar by the standards of his era. Otis belongs in the PFHOF, no doubt about it. A gross oversight by those who vote on it.
kctransplant70 Lynn Swann, Michael Irvin, Andre Reed, Cris Carter to name a few at his position. But, then again, Kenny Stabler was better than nearly all of the quarterbacks from his era and he's been black-balled from an honor that he earned on the field. Tell me you'd rather have Bob Griese or Fran Tarkenton leading your team to a last second attempt at victory. The NFL hall of fame, like all other halls of fame, lacks consistant credibility. For everyone that they get right, there at least as many that they get wrong.
Those guys weren't making lots of money in those days. In those days my father was in the Air Force reserves, and so was Otis. As a result I'll never forget the present of a Chief's jacket and autographed photographs of not only Otis but Len Dawson.
Otis was from the SWAC. He was a quarter back in high school at EE Worthing. He was great there but Jimmy Kearney was the man in the SWAC at Prairie view A & M. Jimmy was the quarterback. They won the SWAC beating Grambling and TSU was beaten 44 to 6. WK Hicks knocked Otis out in that game. Otis woke up and went back in the game. The NFL was not ready for a black quarterback. Jimmy Kearney was just that great. Neither he nor Otis played that position in the pros. But imagine Otis throwing the pass on an end around. He really could run that end around. He and Frank Pitts drove defenses crazy on the way to the Superbowl. Jimmy was a star safety on that same team. Now that is history for you.
How is it possible to Otis Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame, one of the greatest receivers of all time, come on NFL do the right thing and put him in, where he belongs!!!!
RIP Mr. Taylor. Watching him play was like watching a gazelle running with a ball. Still one of the most unique wide receivers to ever had played. Its a travesty he is not in the HOF.
2 AFL championships 2 appearances in modern Super Bowl chiefs win not one Super Bowl without him. The man belongs in. Im 58 years old I have lived in KC my hole life. He is the best chief to ever catch a football.....
Thx for vid. Gave me goosebumps. Watching him play was a thing of beauty. Can you imagine him with ‘sticky’ gloves that players are wearing now?. All those beautiful catches...no gloves. Way past due for HOF. The Chiefs wouldn’t had gotten anywhere without him.
Yardbird68 Just like The Yardbirds played in the best era of music! It also took way to long for them to get in the sham hall of fame that they eventually went into. Now, if we could just add Jethro Tull, Yes, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Johnny Winter, etc...
when i started watching football i was a k c chief fan,that was 1966 and 1968 if i remember correctly then in 69 ii started being a fan of the steelers,i am a defensive guy now,the only player i pretended to be in the back yard and on the play ground playing football was this man(the only one, that i can remember)
Grew up watching this Chiefs team and Otis was by far the favorite player among my friends and I. Great routes, great hands and sooo dangerous after the catch!
Awesome !!! My favorite player back in the day and one of the first Big wideouts that could really move and catch. If he played today with someone like Tom Brady he would brake every record !!!!!!
TOMMY GUNN Wow it's nutty TG who rants and raves and swears on Every site he is on !! Wow you must be a really cool pink hat wearing raider fan LMAO HHAaaa what a Troll !! HHaaa
In college(Prairie View A&M) he was a QB with the arm strength to throw the ball 70 yds but he was forced to switch to WR he could have been the forerunner to Randall Cunningham!!!!!!!!!!
It's a shame I thought he was in there.already.he was the MAN!! He ran like a gazzelle. A natural "high stepper " .He Played Like A HOF player always .may GOD bless him 🙏
What possible explanation could there be for the man not being he the HOF? Used to argue with my brother when I was a kid on who was better Otis Taylor or Bob Hayes. Thanks for posting this its hard to find Chiefs vid's from that era.
Randy Yandell They were both really something. Otis with his hands and strength, and Hayes with that unbelievable speed. Zone defenses were created and put fully into use to try and stop Bob Hayes. They rarely worked...
@Jim Shepard You are 100% correct here Jim. Whenever I read through these posts and come across one like yours, it fires me up inside. The fact that Otis Taylor has been kept out of the PFHOF, (to me) has a very simple explanation. He chose the AFL over the NFL during the 1960's. I've posted in other places here on RUclips about the bias shown to NFL players of and the exclusion shown to AFL players of the same era. Those who may be too young to know and may not understand the process should know that Pete Rozelle, then commissioner of the NFL, had many MANY loyalists (sycophants)/writers, media people, etc who used to suck up to him and the NFL (and vice-versa) when matters concerning the two leagues were ever in question.These were usually old guard, curmudgeon, crusty, stubborn sports writers and media types from NFL cities who thought the AFL was a joke league and worshiped the NFL. Many of these same people knew of the deeds, predilections and faults of some of the dirt-bag NFL owners, looked the other way and as a reward were given the right to vote on who made the PFHOF. Grudgingly, they would from time-to-time vote-IN AFL players who the public would condemn them for NOT voting in, i,e obvious choices. George Blanda, Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Jim Otto, Lance Alworth, Billy Shaw, Jack Kemp, Fred Biletnikoff, Larry Czonka, Bobby Bell, Ron Mix, Nick Bouniconti, Don Maynard, Gene Upshaw, Charlie Joiner and so on. There are so-SO many other AFL players who should also be in. But the fact that they played in the AFL instead of the NFL at that time is held against them. Totally wrong and unfair! Long Live the AFL!!!
This man should have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over 30 years ago as he and HOFmer Lance Alworth set the standard as the best receivers in the American Football League
Far superior than any of today's spoiled football players. As a former Raider fan back in the day, I can't figure out why he hasn't been elected into the HOF. This is a true injustice. He should have been in years ago.
Otis Taylor used to make these horizontal dive catches that left you speechless. In his day, it was hand to hand combat down the field until the ball was in the air. The rules are different now. He was really the most exciting and talented I have seen since Randy Moss.
Film doesn’t lie... He was one of the very best wide outs to ever play.. Big, tough, could block, ran like a gazelle.. Made so many big catches.. 2020 is his year.. They’re gonna put in 10 senior candidates.. If he’s not one of those 10, then they should burn the place down..
Can somebody please explain why Otis Taylor is NOT in the Hall of Fame?!!! It took the late 70's rule changes that opened the passing game to break most of his records!
At the age of 13, Otis Taylor became my First favorite wide receiver when I saw him play against the Steelers on MNF in 1971. 40 years later when I looked up the Boxscore of that game I saw that Taylor had 6 catches for 190 yards in that MNF game. LOL! Now I know why I became a Fan!
The NFL Hall of Fame isn't complete without 89 Otis Taylor.
LONG LIVE OTIS TAYLOR... in our HEARTS AND MINDS!
Respectfully, a loyal fan...
R.I.P. OTIS...
The induction of Otis Taylor into the Pro Football Hall of Fame is way overdue. It should have happened decades ago. We need to do something about this immediately!!
My father once told me that Otis Taylor was the Dr. J of the NFL.... there was no one else to compare to him in football.
Die hard Bronco fan here who watched the Chiefs of yore, and I say put this great player in the Hall of Fame. NOW!
Otis is not in the Hall of Fame but he should be. He is not in good health. I hope he gets in before he passes away so he can enjoy it.
IDK. He's not in good shape. WISH JESUS WOULD TAKE HIM HOME TO GLORY! #OtisTaylor #ChiefsKingdom
@@Iconhulk Amen
They'll put him in after he passes away just like they did Kenny Stabler
That’s messed up. These highlights are crazy. Voters need to brush up on their history
Sadly he passed away yesterday.
It is a travesty that Otis Taylor is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Yeah, and Lynn Swann is! Shows how rigged that can be also.
michael swanson Otis Taylor, Drew Pearson and Cliff Branch are not in the Hall. A freaking joke.
Absolutely, he was one of the all time greats.
Especially when he was the first WR to be named Super Bowl MVP.
@Gardner Barnes Totally agree the Swann bashing on social media comment sections is BEYOND tired at this point. He was a fantastic wide receiver & yes Otis Taylor, Lionel Taylor, Sterling Sharpe, Cliff Branch, Drew Pearson, Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Isaac Curtis, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Stanley Morgan, Wesley Walker, Wes Chandler, & John (JJ) Jefferson ALL deserve enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame but that DOESN'T mean Lynn Swann don't belong as well this opinion coming from a Dallas Cowboys fan who can't stand the Pittsburgh Steelers for goodness sake.
Otis Taylor belongs in the Hall Of Fame!!!
Otis Taylor should be in the NFL HOF
Dan Paul The senior committee needs to make it happen.
He was a great one, but there are many other great players who aren't there, like his teammate Mike Garret. Not everybody can be enshrined.
Otis Taylor belongs in HOF. The Best Ever. Get it Done. Oke doke
Before Walsh there was Stram. Before Montana there was Lenny the Cool. Before Craig there was Podalak and before there was a Rice there was Otis Taylor. Best receiver of his time. Just ain't right him not being in HOF. Check out his average yd on pass reception. HOF! Oke doke
@@lwmson - OMG i didnt.know Mike Garret isnt there also!! Yea there are alot of players who aren't there but i will say this theres alot there that don't belong there ahead of Mike & Otis!!
Otis Taylor was absolutely instrumental to the Chiefs going to and winnng Super Bowl 4--first in a playoff game against the Jets he caught a 61 yd pass from Dawson (that Taylor himself had designed in the dirt of Shea Stadium) that was the turning point in a 13-6 win. Then in the 1969 AFL Championship Taylor caught a pass thrown from the endzone when it looked like Dawson would be sacked for a safety--then in the Super Bowl his catch in the 4th quarter against the Vikings clinched the SB for the Chiefs 23-7
Actually David, with all due respect, while it's true that 61 yard pass play by Otis Taylor you cited DID lead to the game-winning TD reception by Gloucester Richardson in that 13-6 playoff game win over the New York Jets in December 1969 at old Shea Stadium I believe the turning point of that game came on the previous series: the Jets had a first and goal on the Chiefs' 1 yard line after a pass interference penalty against the Chiefs in the end zone early in the fourth quarter with the Chiefs leading 6-3. The Jets tried to run it into the end zone twice but they failed on both attempts and on third down the Chiefs' defense put HEAVY PRESSURE on Jets QB Joe Namath and forced him to throw the ball away. The Jets had to settle for a game-tying FG by their PK Jim Turner.
david graham he should be in the HOF
Now that we've lost Len Dawson, it's IMPERATIVE that Otis Taylor gets into the hall of fame. Allow us to HONOR HIM while he's still with us. 💯💪🏈💪💯
My God, one of the greatest ever!
I honestly thought Mr. Taylor was in the HOF. Shame and WTF to all those responsible for this Man not being in the HOF. Mr. Otis Taylor was the one receiver that every DB feared in the late 60's and early 70's. I remember watching Mr. Taylor and the KC Chiefs in Superbowl 4 and it was obvious that what we were watching was truly greatness. Get it right sportswriters and put this man where he belongs, and that is in the Hall of Fame!
Otis IS definitely a Hall of Famer. As a little kid I watched him torch great HOFrs every Sunday. Back when the players were ruthless and the cheerleaders were female .
OTIS TAYLOR quit lying HE''s THE BEST HALL OF FAMER an
MORE THE GREATEST LOVE YOU OTIS THE BIG 'O ' TAYLOR
STAND FOR LIFE
RIP Otis you were great!
A wonderful man. I coached little league football for a couple of years in Oak Grove, MO, about 30 miles East of KCMO in 1972-74. One afternoon at practice Otis payed a visit and signed some footballs for us and talked with us. For a wonderful played like him to take his time and visit young players like he did impressed me as much as his amazing talent on the field. God Bless.
One of my three favorites of all time. Beautiful to watch. One of the best ever at "circus catches " and arguably the most dangerous receiver after he caught the ball to ever play the game alongside Lance Alworth and Paul Warfield.
I was 11 one Sunday when I turned on the TV and the first thing that came on was number 89 making a circus catch, I saw that catch in this video, the circus catch against Denver. A couple of days later I took a perfectly good sweat shirt and with a red magic marker I drew the number 89 and the name Taylor on the back of it, that was the start of becoming an NFL fan.
He was the first big, (220 lbs) receiver in football. He would destroy today's defenses. He should've been in the HOF at least 20 years ago.
I always remembered Otis Taylor as the master of the 'Toes inbounds' on sideline catches.
Him and Fred Biletnikoff.
@@cairnman100 I was going to say the same thing about Biletnikoff!
damm He dropped big ben davidson like a bad habbit!!! Now that is beyond legendary and epic!!
Light Grid he was the first person that came to the defense of Dawson.
Yep
Rest in peace, Otis Taylor
He was one of the first of the big, strong WR's who could also run and jump.
This phenom of an athlete has been my idol and role model to commitment of excellence and determination since I first saw him play in 1970; I am 57 now, and still try, daily, to instil in my young player, what he, without ever knowing, instilled in me. I will forever revere Otis #89 Taylor. What an athlete, what a man!
"Coach" Scot T. Smith Sr.
His size and skills would make him a top ten player today,or in any era!
I am stunned that Otis Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame. In my opinion he is one of the most talented an gifted receivers to ever play the game. Regardless of stats, he was a true talent. He had a way of running and moving that was as graceful as a gazelle. A truly unique style and all world talent. i watched him as a child in the 1960's. Unbelievably good player. One of the best of all time, no doubt.
Prarie View A@M University...The greatest player to come out of that great university on The Hill in NW H TX...RIP...
Otis played at a time when guys didn't run out of bounds or go to the ground after they got caught. That's what lead to him having concussion problems. If his family didn't have to sue the NFL for his medical care he would be in the Hall of Fame already.
Graceful stride...
The incomparable one... OTIS TAYLOR
Ja Marr Chase must be his grandson
My favorite team my favorite era
Watching film on Otis Taylor makes me want to 😢 cry, he was so good. He was a real terror. The opposition feared him. I guess because he came from Houston, is the reason I loved to watch him play. He owned the Oilers. Plus, the Cowboys didn’t get him, could you imagine ? Truly, one of a kind. Brother Otis from Worthing HS and Prairie View U. ❤️
Growing up in Seattle before the Hawks, the Raiders were the team to root for. And even though I was a Raider fan, and the Chiefs were their big rival, Otis Taylor was my favorite receiver. He was just that good. He had a great move on short out passes where he seamlessly looked like he was going to turn upfield toward the sideline, plant his foot, and spin back, leaving the defender grabbing air. My favorite move playing sandlot football in junior high.
Because of all the inflated number of catches in today's football there is some argument that he did not have enough catches/yards for a long enough time... it's ridiculous.. he was the first of the large WR with great hands, speed and dangerous after he caught the ball while the rest of the teams had Lance Alworth, Fred B/warren wells, Maynard/Sauer etc (they were great but a different model) ... behind him were the great generation of WR's who followed him.. Good example is John Stallworth ... As Howard Cosell said the Incomparable Otis Taylor on Monday Night Football.. Curt Gowdy etc marveled at his talent... let's make it happen for Otis
I concur
Otis Taylor was fluid, electric and dynamite quality explosive!! All the receivers that played in the Sixties and Seventies are undersold because Defensive Backs got away with murder in that era. Now, a Defensive Back can't belch on a wideout and not get flagged!! Watching these clips it's little wonder that the Chiefs literally kidnapped him from NFL Babysitters. It's asinine that Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame. Both Taylor and Cliff Branch of the Raiders are no Brainer Hall of Famers. Time for common sense to rule again in the Hall's selection process.
He's Definitely Should Be In The HALL...
A beautiful sight to see Otis catch a long pass in full stride! Not many like him since.
The first great "big" recievers. I'm shocked that he's not enshrined!
A thing of beauty. Paul Warfield Jerry Rice and Warren Wells all in one. A man playing against little boys. OT . Thank you.
The man was great!!!! Absolutely belongs in the HOF!!!!!!!
I never forgave the NFL for inducting Kenny Stabler posthumously. This is unpardonable. Otis was possibly the "Megatron" of that era.
Sadly, this new trend of labeling players the GOAT, especially the receivers, whom I shall keep nameless, is more for commercial appeal these days only. And the players who relish being called GOAT should go back in the archives, look at the footage of Otis Taylor, drop their egos, and say, I was good, but Otis Taylor is the real GOAT.
I am sure he will go into the HOF now as he was so helpless in his final days; I believe it would not have been easy to put him there in his condition. It's better now than when he was helpless. However, they had many years beforehand to do so.
Otis, you have crossed the goal line again for the last time. Thank you for entertaining us so gracefully. How you ran, your high knee action, your elusiveness as a runner, and your concentration in catching the football, with bare hands, no sticky gloves, spotless and no juggling the ball. You were Mr. WBIH (Watch Ball In Hands), And your sweet method of spiking the ball. Is no doubt in my mind who the real GOAT is. Number 89 OTIS TAYLOR! Go In Peace, My Brother!
what a great post
The great Otis Taylor.
Otis Taylor and Paul Warfield were the two best for awhile
Did anyone else notice some of the great downfield blocks in some of those plays? It seems like something that we don't see enough of in today's game. Of course, Otis had the moves to make ridiculous plays on his own. He was a talented dude, and a really nice, humble man. I met him once back in '91 or '92 and got his autograph on a football that I still have today. And I agree with everyone who thinks that he should be in the HOF.
Houston Texas
Otis my man !!! Fantastic !!! So glad I saw this era of AFL Football and then the merging of tthe leagues and the 1970s a Great game then !! Semper Fi
My dad told me " Honor your mother, and be a Chiefs fan". That was 1968, been a fan ever since. Watching Otis play was in awe of the poetry in motion. I was 7 at the time. Mom and I watched superbowl 4 and 54 together. Hall of fame put him in, he deserves it.
The strongest case for #89 being in the PFHOF is the story about him being "kidnapped" by KC from hotel room where Dallas Cowboys had him stashed away following draft. Then in what NFL Films calls the wide open Hank Stram "Wild Wild West" offense, it wouldn't be wide open if it weren't for Taylor, one of the two or three most dominant wide receivers in the NFL. He made the key catch in the AFL Championship game that turned the game, and made the final touchdown in AFL history in Super Bowl IV. Numbers are unimpressive, but only by modern standards. His numbers were stellar by the standards of his era. Otis belongs in the PFHOF, no doubt about it. A gross oversight by those who vote on it.
It actually took the rule changes that opened up the passing game to break most of the records he set.
he scored the last td but didnt turn no game the chiefs were already winning 16 - 0 by halftime me deff belongs in the PFHOF
There are far lesser players in the hall of fame than Otis Taylor was. If he had played in New York, he would have been inducted a LONG time ago.
Amen. I've been saying that for years.
kctransplant70 Lynn Swann, Michael Irvin, Andre Reed, Cris Carter to name a few at his position. But, then again, Kenny Stabler was better than nearly all of the quarterbacks from his era and he's been black-balled from an honor that he earned on the field. Tell me you'd rather have Bob Griese or Fran Tarkenton leading your team to a last second attempt at victory. The NFL hall of fame, like all other halls of fame, lacks consistant credibility. For everyone that they get right, there at least as many that they get wrong.
my fav WR as a kid.. needs to be HOF
Agreed!
Those guys weren't making lots of money in those days. In those days my father was in the Air Force reserves, and so was Otis. As a result I'll never forget the present of a Chief's jacket and autographed photographs of not only Otis but Len Dawson.
Otis was from the SWAC. He was a quarter back in high school at EE Worthing. He was great there but Jimmy Kearney was the man in the SWAC at Prairie view A & M. Jimmy was the quarterback. They won the SWAC beating Grambling and TSU was beaten 44 to 6. WK Hicks knocked Otis out in that game. Otis woke up and went back in the game. The NFL was not ready for a black quarterback. Jimmy Kearney was just that great. Neither he nor Otis played that position in the pros. But imagine Otis throwing the pass on an end around. He really could run that end around. He and Frank Pitts drove defenses crazy on the way to the Superbowl. Jimmy was a star safety on that same team. Now that is history for you.
Wow, great stuff!
It's a shame and embarrassment that Otis is not in the NFL Hall of Fame. He could run, catch and block...
How is it possible to Otis Taylor is not in the Hall of Fame, one of the greatest receivers of all time, come on NFL do the right thing and put him in, where he belongs!!!!
You Hall of Fame voters should be embarrassed that this guy is not in Canton. What the heck are you thinking? And he is a Super Bowl Champion.
RIP Mr. Taylor. Watching him play was like watching a gazelle running with a ball. Still one of the most unique wide receivers to ever had played. Its a travesty he is not in the HOF.
It's a crime the Mr. Taylor is not in the NFL Hall of Fame.
Put Otis Taylor in the Hall of Fame.The man had game.Just check out his highlights!
wow !!!! and not in the hall of fame? how can that be.
Otis was in a class by himself. He did everything well. HOF now!!!!!
Otis Taylor was a beautiful runner. Had a stride like a world class sprinter.
2 AFL championships 2 appearances in modern Super Bowl chiefs win not one Super Bowl without him. The man belongs in. Im 58 years old I have lived in KC my hole life. He is the best chief to ever catch a football.....
Otis Taylor is a legend best wild receiver I ever saw the legend of Otis Taylor.
I will never forget that short catch that he turned into a touchdown in Super Bowl 4, just beautiful!! Poetry!!
Thx for vid. Gave me goosebumps.
Watching him play was a thing of beauty. Can you imagine him with ‘sticky’ gloves that players are wearing now?. All those beautiful catches...no gloves.
Way past due for HOF. The Chiefs wouldn’t had gotten anywhere without him.
He was the guy this team looked to for leadership back in 1969.
Still my fav all-time KC Chief. Plus, Otis played in the era of football I like the best. I do not like what the NFL has become.
Yardbird68 Just like The Yardbirds played in the best era of music! It also took way to long for them to get in the sham hall of fame that they eventually went into. Now, if we could just add Jethro Tull, Yes, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Johnny Winter, etc...
The NFL is fast becoming the WNFL.
Cheatatriots friendly league
70s best decade of the three major sports
when i started watching football i was a k c chief fan,that was 1966 and 1968 if i remember correctly then in 69 ii started being a fan of the steelers,i am a defensive guy now,the only player i pretended to be in the back yard and on the play ground playing football was this man(the only one, that i can remember)
Without 89 there would be no 16
THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME
#89 OTIS TAYLOR THE LEGEND
MY BROTHER
Grew up watching this Chiefs team and Otis was by far the favorite player among my friends and I. Great routes, great hands and sooo dangerous after the catch!
Awesome !!! My favorite player back in the day and one of the first Big wideouts that could really move and catch. If he played today with someone like Tom Brady he would brake every record !!!!!!
TOMMY GUNN Wow it's nutty TG who rants and raves and swears on Every site he is on !! Wow you must be a really cool pink hat wearing raider fan LMAO HHAaaa what a Troll !! HHaaa
+Ronnie Farnsworth Sure made Dawson look good.
In college(Prairie View A&M) he was a QB with the arm strength to throw the ball 70 yds but he was forced to switch to WR he could have been the forerunner to Randall Cunningham!!!!!!!!!!
only reason he isnt there is because he heads a big and famous law suit against the nfl - best dang receiver of his era - no one else was close
unfortunately, his health is so bad that he probably wont ever be able to enjoy it.
It's a shame I thought he was in there.already.he was the MAN!! He ran like a gazzelle. A natural "high stepper " .He Played Like A HOF player always .may GOD bless him 🙏
What possible explanation could there be for the man not being he the HOF? Used to argue with my brother when I was a kid on who was better Otis Taylor or Bob Hayes. Thanks for posting this its hard to find Chiefs vid's from that era.
Randy Yandell They were both really something. Otis with his hands and strength, and Hayes with that unbelievable speed. Zone defenses were created and put fully into use to try and stop Bob Hayes. They rarely worked...
Taylor and Hayes to me parallels like Owens and Moss
@Jim Shepard You are 100% correct here Jim. Whenever I read through these posts and come across one like yours, it fires me up inside. The fact that Otis Taylor has been kept out of the PFHOF, (to me) has a very simple explanation. He chose the AFL over the NFL during the 1960's. I've posted in other places here on RUclips about the bias shown to NFL players of and the exclusion shown to AFL players of the same era. Those who may be too young to know and may not understand the process should know that Pete Rozelle, then commissioner of the NFL, had many MANY loyalists (sycophants)/writers, media people, etc who used to suck up to him and the NFL (and vice-versa) when matters concerning the two leagues were ever in question.These were usually old guard, curmudgeon, crusty, stubborn sports writers and media types from NFL cities who thought the AFL was a joke league and worshiped the NFL. Many of these same people knew of the deeds, predilections and faults of some of the dirt-bag NFL owners, looked the other way and as a reward were given the right to vote on who made the PFHOF. Grudgingly, they would from time-to-time vote-IN AFL players who the public would condemn them for NOT voting in, i,e obvious choices. George Blanda, Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Jim Otto, Lance Alworth, Billy Shaw, Jack Kemp, Fred Biletnikoff, Larry Czonka, Bobby Bell, Ron Mix, Nick Bouniconti, Don Maynard, Gene Upshaw, Charlie Joiner and so on. There are so-SO many other AFL players who should also be in. But the fact that they played in the AFL instead of the NFL at that time is held against them. Totally wrong and unfair!
Long Live the AFL!!!
1) Best footwork, ever! 2) 6-3, 215 makes him the prototype of the modern receiver; 3) An iconic SB touchdown run, and he still isn't in the Hall....!
Should be in the HOF!
Should be in the Hall of Fame
This man should have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame over 30 years ago as he and HOFmer Lance Alworth set the standard as the best receivers in the American Football League
Far superior than any of today's spoiled football players. As a former Raider fan back in the day, I can't figure out why he hasn't been elected into the HOF. This is a true injustice. He should have been in years ago.
Otis Taylor used to make these horizontal dive catches that left you speechless. In his day, it was hand to hand combat down the field until the ball was in the air. The rules are different now. He was really the most exciting and talented I have seen since Randy Moss.
What is the logic behind him not being the Hall of Fame? Beast Mode before there was Beast Mode ;-)
Original T.O
My first football hero. I first saw him in the 71 season. Only 13 at the time. Wide receiver was my position because of Taylor.
no HOF... KC never retired his number 89...
grew up a chief fan but until this is fixed...
straight to hell chief organization.
A Great Receiver........Ran like a race horse after the catch....Tough to bring down....Definitely belongs in the Hall of Fame
Wake up NFL PUT OTIS TAYLOR IN THE HALL OF FAME
Great recevier shall be in the hall of fame.
The way I remember him. Unreal.
I wore Otis Taylor's #89 jersey (bought at Sears) every Friday to school in 5th and 6th grade. Love Otis!
Film doesn’t lie... He was one of the very best wide outs to ever play.. Big, tough, could block, ran like a gazelle.. Made so many big catches..
2020 is his year.. They’re gonna put in 10 senior candidates.. If he’s not one of those 10, then they should burn the place down..
Jacob Jones I agree
Put Otis in the Hall
He worked with the youth department of St. Stephen Baptist Church along with former Kansas City MONARCHS catcher deacon Louis Sirls
Can somebody please explain why Otis Taylor is NOT in the Hall of Fame?!!! It took the late 70's rule changes that opened the passing game to break most of his records!
The sad thing is he isn't in the HOF
I love that lateral to The Tank!
Most underrated receiver ever. He belongs in the HOF
Terrific video tribute.
At the age of 13, Otis Taylor became my First favorite wide receiver when I saw him play against the Steelers on MNF in 1971. 40 years later when I looked up the Boxscore of that game I saw that Taylor had 6 catches for 190 yards in that MNF game. LOL! Now I know why I became a Fan!
he was a big strong receiver punished dbs
otis taylor could do it all,great hands speed ,tough.he was great.