Remembering Football Great, Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor, a true great on four of the five Vince Lombardi coached Green Bay Packers’ title teams and the only other player to win a rushing title during Jim Brown’s 9 year NFL career, died yesterday, at the age of 83.
His 1,474 yards gained rushing that 1962 season gave Taylor his lone rushing title and more important it was Taylor that led the Green Bay offense (along with 3 field goals by Jerry Kramer, the latter finally allowed in the NFL Hall of Fame this year, after he was disgracefully kept out so long) that frigid day at New York’s Yankee Stadium, when the Pack prevailed (16-7) defeating the New York Giants for the second straight season, in the NFL Title game.
Two more regarding Mr.Taylor, who teamed with greats Paul Hornung and Bart Starr in the Green Bay backfield.
It was the second game of the 1966 season, “G.B.” is at Cleveland, the team they beat in each team’s last game, the ’65 Title game.
The Packers are facing a 4th and goal at the 9, a win or lose play and Taylor avoids 4 potential tacklers and scores the winning touchdown.
It is an all time great clutch play, in an eventual title season, by a relatively unsung all time player.
The other story involves the all-time runner, if not player, Jim Brown and Jim Taylor winning a made for television bowling competition resulting in Mr. Brown’s high praise for all that is/was Jim Taylor.
Now this determined man moves on, his work, drive and greatness a reminder of what could be done, as we must move forward.
Left to right, Paul Hornung and Jim Taylor
