Charley Taylor, Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and Washington legend, dies at 80

Washington football legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor has died at the age of 80.

Taylor, who played his entire 13-year NFL career in Washington, retired after the 1977 season as the NFL's all-time leading receiver with 649 receptions.

Washington selected Taylor third overall from Arizona State in 1964, with the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder playing running back his first two seasons. Coach Otto Graham switched Taylor to wide receiver in 1966, and he led the NFL with 72 receptions that season and again in 1967 with 70.

Taylor helped lead Washington to a berth in Super Bowl VII before losing 14-7 to the undefeated Miami Dolphins. He was named to eight Pro Bowl teams and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1984.

Taylor finished with 649 catches for 9,110 yards in 165 regular-season games. Jerry Rice now holds the catches mark at 1,549, with Taylor down to 67th on the list. Taylor's 90 career touchdowns remain a Washington record.

After his retirement, Taylor joined the Washington front office as a scout. He also served as wide receivers coach under head coach Joe Gibbs from 1981-93, helping the team win three Super Bowls.

Taylor starred in football, baseball, basketball and track and field in high school in Grand Prairie, Texas. At Arizona State, he played halfback and defensive back and also pitched and played third base in baseball.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Charley Taylor, Hall of Fame wide receiver, dies at 80