Jim Taylor, Class of 1976

 

The Green Bay Packers selected Jim Taylor from LSU as their second pick in the 1958 draft.

When Vince Lombardi took over the Green Bay coaching reins in 1959, fullback Jim Taylor became the Packers' bread-and-butter guy.

As the Packers’ dynasty grew, Taylor become the symbol of power in the awesome Green Bay attack.

Lombardi depended upon him to get the needed short yardage whether it was for a first down or a touchdown.

Jim was a throwback to an earlier era, who ran with a fierceness no one could match. He caught the short swing passes and blocked with rugged determination.

Thousand-yard seasons became a specialty for Taylor. He went over 1,000 yards five straight seasons beginning in 1960 but reached his zenith in 1962, when he had a career-high 1,474 yards and was named the NFL Player of the Year.

Taylor was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 1976.

Earlier this year, Taylor placed the new Vince Lombardi Trophy on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The trophy - which will be awarded to the winner of Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida - is part of the Hall's newly renovated area, The Lamar Hunt Super Bowl Gallery.