Funeral for KC Chiefs great Otis Taylor draws Frank White, Bobby Bell, Lamar Hunt Jr.

Several hundred mourners joined family and friends of former Kansas City Chiefs star Otis Taylor on Wednesday for funeral services at Friendship Baptist Church in Kansas City.

Taylor died March 9 in Kansas City at 80 following a lengthy illness.

A seemingly fearless big-bodied pass-catching target with sure hands, Taylor was the Chiefs’ big-play wide receiver during their Super Bowl era of the late 1960s.

Former Kansas City Royals star Frank White, fellow Chiefs legend Bobby Bell and Lamar Hunt Jr. were among those who spoke at Taylor’s service. So, too, did Taylor’s son, Otis Taylor III.

Many former Chiefs were among the pallbearers during the funeral service, which lasted more than two hours.

A Tuesday visitation at Watkins Heritage Chapel preceded the midday Wednesday funeral service for Taylor at Friendship Baptist Church.

Taylor, a three-time Pro Bowler, was voted AFC Player of the Year in 1971 when he was the only receiver in the NFL to post a 1,000-yard season, catching 57 passes for a 19.5-yard average. After playing from 1965-75, he retired as the franchise record-holder for touchdown receptions with 57.

His 410 receptions were a club record until 1986 and his 7,306 yards receiving was a club record until 2005, when Tony Gonzalez eclipsed that mark.

Taylor was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1982.

Former KC Star sportswriter Randy Covitz contributed to this report.