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Tarzan Taylor
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John Lachlan "Tarzan" Taylor (January 10, 1895 – May 1, 1971[1]) was an American football guard. He for the Chicago Staleys, Canton Bulldogs, and Brooklyn Lions / Horsemen of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor was a two-time APFA/NFL champion in 1921 and 1922 with the Staleys and Bulldogs respectively. He played college football for Ohio State.
Key Information
Early life and college career
[edit]Taylor was born on January 19, 1895, in Superior, Wisconsin. He attended Central High School and Martins Ferry High School before enrolling at Hamline University.[2] He transferred to Ohio State and was a member of the 1920 football team that went 7–1 and made a Rose Bowl appearance. During his collegiate career, Taylor earned the nickname "Man-Eater."[3] Following his senior season, he was named a consensus First-team All-Big Ten guard.[4]
Playing career
[edit]In September 1921, Taylor signed with the Chicago Staleys of the American Professional Football Association (APFA)—now known the National Football League (NFL). He joined former Ohio State football stars Chic Harley and Gaylord Stinchcomb.[5]
In 1922, Taylor joined the Canton Bulldogs of the recently rebranded NFL.[6][7]
In 1926, after receiving a leave of absence from Taylor's coaching duties, he signed with the Brooklyn Lions / Horsemen of the American Football League (AFL) and later the NFL.[8]
Coaching career
[edit]In 1923, Taylor was hired by Ralph H. Young of Michigan Agricultural College—now known as Michigan State University—as the team's line coach.[9] Following the 1925 season Taylor was granted leave.[10]
After one year out of coaching, Taylor was hired as the line coach for Ohio University under head coach Don Peden.[11] In 1928, he was named the line coach for his alma mater, Ohio State.[12][13] Following John Wilce's retirement, Taylor was not retained by new head coach Sam Willaman. Taylor then was hired by Marquette University for the same position.[14][15] He was one of the few potential candidates named to fill the Iowa line coach position under head coach Ossie Solem,[16] but he ultimately remained with Marquette. After 12 total seasons, Taylor was eventually not retained after Paddy Driscoll's firing in 1940.[17]
Following Taylor's firing from Marquette, he took a six year break from coaching before returning in 1947 for the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) under head coach Cecil Isbell.[18]
In 1948, Taylor worked as scout for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.
In 1950, Taylor returned to on-field coaching as the line coach for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL for the newly hired Gene Ronzani.[19][20] His contract was not renewed when it expired in 1952.[21]
Personal life
[edit]In February 1931, Taylor's mother died in Duluth, Minnesota.[22] In September 1931, Taylor was hospitalized in Milwaukee with pneumonia.[23] In December 1934, he was hospitalized again, this time for an ankle fracture he suffered after falling while getting out of his taxi.[24] While attending a Chicago Bears game at Wrigley Field, Taylor suffered a heat attack and was hospitalized at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.[25]
Taylor died on May 1, 1971, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.[26][27]
References
[edit]- ^ "Tarzan Taylor". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ^ Kramnic, Fran (August 8, 1951). "'Tarzan' Taylor Was Tough". The Duluth News Tribune. p. 12. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Hughes, Ed R. (January 4, 1921). "Charley Erb Fine Engineer, Says Powell". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 14. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ Grove, Roy (October 20, 1921). "Five All American Stars in Staleys Lineup". New Castle Herald. p. 13. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan' Taylor to Join Staleys". Detroit Free Press. September 11, 1921. p. 24. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ "This Pair Intends Making Trouble for Akron Professional Team". The Akron Beacon Journal. October 18, 1922. p. 13. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ "Chicago Bears Meet Canton Bulldogs". The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. October 27, 1922. p. 21. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ "Horsemen Play Wildcats Today". Brooklyn Eagle. October 10, 1926. p. 34. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "New Coach Reports to Young at M. A. C." Lansing State Journal. September 11, 1923. p. 10. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
- ^ ""Tarzan" Taylor is Granted Leave". The Saginaw News. January 21, 1926. p. 18. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzen Taylor New Ohio U Grid Coach". The Akron Beacon Journal. September 27, 1927. p. 23. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "May Be What's Needed". Wilmington News-Journal. January 30, 1928. p. 6. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Ward, Grant P. (November 27, 1928). "Illinois and Minnesota Picked As Best in Big Ten at Start of Season". Springfield News-Sun. p. 18. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ ""Tarzan" Taylor to Be Marquette Line Coach". The Dayton Herald. February 20, 1929. p. 20. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ ""Tarzan" Taylor, New Marquette Line Coach, Highly Optimistic". Kenosha News. August 17, 1929. p. 9. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Solem May Have New Assistants". The Courier. December 12, 1934. p. 9. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ Husted, Bob (January 25, 1941). "Tarzan Taylor Is Looking For Job". The Dayton Herald. p. 6. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor To Aid Isbell At Baltimore". Two Rivers Reporter. July 18, 1947. p. 10. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor Lands Position On Green Bay Coaching Staff". The La Crosse Tribune. April 11, 1950. p. 15. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Green Bay Picks Assistant Coach". Austin American-Statesman. April 12, 1950. p. 18. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor Is Out as Green Bay Assistant Coach". Janesville Weekly Gazette. January 19, 1953. p. 12. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor's Mother Dies at Duluth, Minn". Wisconsin State Journal. February 17, 1931. p. 25. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor, Hilltop Coach, Has Pneumonia". The Capital Times. September 3, 1931. p. 16. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "'Tarzan' Taylor, Hilltop Line Coach, Hurt Here". The Capital Times. December 17, 1934. p. 4. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "'Tarzan' Taylor Has Heart Attack". The Capital Times. November 19, 1955. p. 18. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "Tarzan Taylor dies in Green Bay". The Cincinnati Post. May 4, 1971. p. 40. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
- ^ "'Tarzan' Taylor Is Dead At 76". The Cincinnati Enquirer. May 2, 1971. p. 40. Retrieved March 1, 2025.