Green Bay Packers: 50 greatest players in franchise history

Greatest players in Green Bay Packers history: 10. Jim Taylor

If there is one thing for certain about Vince Lombardi’s legacy (besides winning, of course), it’s that the guy love to pound the rock on his patented power sweep. While Paul Hornung was “The Golden Boy” with “Goat Shoulders”, Jim Taylor had the better NFL career. It’s cool though, as both went on to earn Canton enshrinement at the end of the day.

Taylor first came to the Packers in 1958 as a second-round pick out of LSU. He was an All-American for the Bayou Bengals in 1957. He played in the same LSU backfield that produced Heisman Trophy winner Billy Cannon. So it’s safe to say that Taylor knew a thing or two about playing alongside another star tailback when he joined Hornung in the Packers backfield.

Taylor was a five-time Pro Bowler, made three All-Pro first teams, led the league in rushing touchdowns twice, rushing yards once and was named NFL MVP in 1962. Taylor won four NFL championships with the Packers, including Super Bowl I over the Kansas City Chiefs. He would spend one last season playing for his home state’s expansion team in the New Orleans Saints before retiring in 1967.

Overall, Taylor rushed for 8,207 yards on 1,811 carries and 81 touchdowns in nine years with the Packers. He made the NFL’s All-Decade team in the 1960s and is a member of the Packers Hall of Fame. His No. 31 jersey is retired by the Saints organization. In 1976 , Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Canton classmates include Ray Flaherty and Len Ford.