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Denver Broncos legendary wide receiver Lionel Taylor dies at 89
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Legendary Denver Broncos wide receiver Lionel Taylor died at age 89 Aug. 6, the team announced Wednesday.
“An original Bronco and one of the most dominant players of his era, Taylor had a tremendous impact on the franchise during his seven seasons in Denver (1960-66),” the team said in an announcement.
“Our hearts go out to Taylor’s family and friends.”
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Lionel Taylor signs a helmet with all three Broncos logos on it from the beginning to the present at Fascination Street Gallery Nov. 6, 2000, to commemorate the history of Mile High Stadium. (John Leyba/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Taylor finished his seven-year career in Denver as the all-time leader in receptions (543), receiving yards (6,872) and touchdown receptions (44). Taylor held the first two records for more than 30 years and still ranks in the top five in all three categories.
He became the first receiver in AFL or NFL history to have at least 100 receptions in a season.
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Taylor never caught fewer than 76 passes and averaged more than 80 catches a year during his first six seasons. His 84.7 catches per season from 1960-65 ranked as the highest six-year total in football history at that time. In that same span, Taylor ranked first in the AFL/NFL in receptions (508), third in receiving yards (6,424) and eighth in touchdown receptions (43).
Taylor was among the four initial inductees into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1984.
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Denver Broncos end Lionel Taylor catches an 8-yard pass from Jack Lee for the 500th catch of his career during the Broncos’ 28-20 loss to Boston before 27,207 at Bears Stadium. (Duane Howell/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
As the Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach for seven seasons, he won two Super Bowl rings and worked with Hall of Fame receivers Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Taylor then worked as both the wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
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Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Dominiq Ponder died this weekend, the team’s head coach Deion Sanders confirmed on Sunday with a social media post.
“God please comfort the Ponder family, friends and loved ones,” Sanders wrote on social media. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us Lord Comfort us.”
Ponder was 23 years old.
Details of Ponder’s death are not yet known.
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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his team warm up before an NCAA college football game against TCU Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)
Ponder, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound signal caller, joined the Buffaloes and “Coach Prime’s” program in 2024 after spending time at Bethune-Cookman before making his way to Boulder.
Last season, Ponder played just two games for the Buffaloes while serving in his backup role. He recorded two rush attempts and one pass attempt.
The Opa Locka, Fla., native also received tribute from a fellow quarterback with the Buffaloes, Colton Allen.
Bethune-Cookman QB Dominiq Ponder takes a snap during the Wildcats’ spring game Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Daytona Stadium. (IMAGN)
“Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote on Instagram. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life.”
Ponder was going to be a part of Colorado’s spring practices, which are set to begin on Monday. It’s unknown if Sanders will postpone the start due to Ponder’s passing.
Ponder also received a tribute from the University of Central Florida.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders watches his players warm up before an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (Tyler Tate/AP Photo)
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“Our prayers are with Dominiq and the Ponder family along with all in the Colorado football program,” the university’s football account on X wrote.
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