Fred Taylor was named a finalist for the Professional Football Hall of Fame in January of 2024 after a dazzling 13-year career with the Jaguars and New England Patriots.
Taylor was the No. 9 overall selection in the 1998 NFL Draft and immediately showcased a rare blend of size at 230 pounds on a six-foot one-inch frame with the speed of a much smaller man. Taylor took the NFL by storm in his rookie season scoring 17 touchdowns including a dramatic 77-yard romp through the Miami Dolphins defense on the first play of his first ever Monday Night Football game. He added touchdowns of 52 and 78 yards against the Baltimore Ravens and his 70-yard game winning run up the Tampa Bay sideline in the fourth quarter was the game winner and his third score of the afternoon.
In all Taylor would score 78 touchdowns, among them 19 of longer than 30 yards and 14 longer than 50 yards including a 90-yard touchdown run in the 1999 AFC Divisional Playoff against the Miami Dolphins that is 24-years later still the longest touchdown run in NFL Playoff history.
Fred finished his career No. 17 on the NFL's all-time rushing list with 11,695 yards and all 16 of the running backs ahead of him are members of the Hall of Fame. He finished with seven seasons of more than 1,100 rushing yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry over his outstanding 13-year career which is the sixth highest total among running backs with more than 10,000 rushing yards.
During the 2000 season Fred became just the third running back in NFL history to run for at least 100 yards in nine consecutive games and 24 years later that streak is the fourth longest in NFL history. His 234 yards rushing and four touchdowns at Three Rivers Stadium in Week 11 of the 2000 season was the highlight of that run of 100-yard games and was the best performance by a visiting running back in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers vaunted home field.
In 2007 he connected five consecutive 100-yard games beginning in November and helped the Jaguars push their record from 7-3 to 11-4 and into an AFC Wild Card berth. In those five games he also scored touchdowns of 50, 62 and 80 yards plus the game winning 12-yard touchdown run in Pittsburgh which would be the first of two wins there in the span of 20 days making the Jaguars the first team to win in Pittsburgh twice in the same season.
Taylor is the Jaguars all-time rushing yards leader with 11,271 and the leader in yards from scrimmage with 13,632. He also contributed 51 games with at least 100 rushing yards, the most in team history.
Fred Taylor was inducted into the Pride of the Jaguars in 2012, becoming the second member of the Jaguars to see his name immortalized above the field where he shined on Sunday afternoons.
Relive the best moments in photographs of Pride of the Jaguars Running Back Fred Taylor's unforgettable career in Jacksonville.
New England Patriots linebacker #54 Tedy Bruschi swoops in to tackle Jacksonville Jaguars running back #28 Fred Taylor in a snowstorm at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA. (Rick Wilson/Florida Times-Union) .
Jaguars rookie RB Fred Taylor ran for 162 yards and a touchdown in the 1998 Wild Card victory over the New England Patriots.
Fred Taylor breaks free on a 35-yard run on his way to a 128-yard performance in a win against the Bengals during Week 8 of the 1999 NFL Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor breaks a tackle by a Cincinnati Bengals defender during a 35-yard run in the first quarter, Sunday, Oct. 31, 1999, in Cincinnati. Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins (27) pursues. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Fred Taylor scores a second touchdown that led to a victory over the Bengals in the final game of the Jaguars 1999 Regular Season.
Jacksonville's running back Fred Taylor(28) flies over the goal line with Cincinnati's defensemen Brian Simmons (56), left, and Lawrence Wright(42), right, in tow for a Jaguar score during the fourth quarter to seal their 24-7 victory Sunday, Jan. 2, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Stephen Morton)
Fred Taylor recorded the longest playoff run in NFL history with a 90-yard touchdown run in a 62-7 dismantling of the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Divisional Round of the 1999 playoffs.Â
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) beats a Miami Dolphins defender on his way to a 90-yard touchdown run during the first quarter their AFC divisional playoff game Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000, in Jacksonville, Fla.. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Fred Taylor ran for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 48-0 beatdown of the Cleveland Browns in Week 14 of the 2000 NFL Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor (28) is brought down by Cleveland Browns' Daylon McCutcheon in the first quarter in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 3, 2000. Trailing the action is Browns' Stalin Colinet (93). (AP Photo/Scott Audette)
Fred Taylor breaks away on a 63-yard run in a 23-16 victory over the Chiefs in Week 2 of the 2002 NFL Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) breaks past Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Marvcus Patton (53) on his way to a 63-yard run for what proved to be the winning touchdown as Jaguars lineman John Wade (66) celebrates Sunday, Sept. 15, 2002, in Kansas City, Mo. The Jaguars won 23-16. (AP Photo/Dick Whipple)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, runs past Philadelphia Eagles defender Brian Dawkins for a second-quarter touchdown Sunday, Oct. 6, 2002, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville defeated Philadelphia, 28-25. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Fred Taylor celebrates after rushing for 118 yards in a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13 of the 2003 Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor celebrates the team's 17-10 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Fred Taylor runs for 163 yards in a 20-19 Victory over the Saints in 2003, helping him set a career high1,572 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Saints (56) Orlando Ruff wraps up Jaguars (28) Fred Taylor on a short run in the second quarter Sunday December 21, 2003 in Alltel Stadium. Jaguars lead at the half 17-10.
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor 13-10 come-from-behind victory over the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY in the 2004 season opener Sunday September 12, 2004.
Jaguars (28) Fred Taylor runs up the middle for a 10 yard gain in the first quarter against Denver in Alltel Stadium Sunday September 19, 2004.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back #28 Fred Taylor could not find any running room against the Denver Broncos rushing for only 54 yards during the Jags 7-6 victory Sunday afternoon September 19, 2004 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) looks back from the end zone after scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run with 9 seconds left in the fourth quarter Sunday, Sept. 26, 2004, in Nashvile, Tenn. The Jaguars defeated the Titans, 15-12. Defending for the Titans are Rocky Boiman (50) and Tank Williams (25). (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Fred Taylor emerges from the tunnel before the Week 6 win over the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
Fred Taylor is pictured on the run in a balanced outing as he accumulated 66 rushing yards, 71 receiving yards and a touchdown on the way to a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 6 of the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
Jaguars (28) Fred Taylor sprints to the endzone for a touchdown on a 62 yard reception to make it 14-3 in the second quarter against the Chiefs with 14:21 on the clock Sunday October 17, 2004 at Alltel Stadium.
Fred Taylor evades a defender in the Jaguars' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 6 of the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
Fred Taylor on the run during the 22-16 win over the Chiefs in Week 6 of the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
The Jaguars' offensive line paves the way for Fred Taylor in the 23-17 victory over the Detroit Lions during Week 10 of the 2004 NFL Season.
Fred Taylor runs away from defenders in a victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 10 of the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, center, attempts to run away from the tackle of Detroit Lions defender Brock Marion during second-quarter action, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won in overtime, 23-17.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor runs over Detroit Lions defender Fernando Bryant in the first quarter Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Fred Taylor takes it in after putting up 144 yards rushing in the victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 10 of the 2004 NFL Season.
Fred Taylor walks on the field in his 79-yard rushing performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 14 of the 2004 NFL Regular Season.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, runs for first-quarter yardage as Chicago Bears defender Mike Green, left, attempts to make the tackle Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won, 22-3. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor Chicago Bears during the Jags 22-3 victory Sunday afternoon December 12, 2004 at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Fl.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back #28 Fred Taylor (left) is caught from behind by Green Bay Packers safety #42 Darren Sharper at the end of a 46 yard run with 13:39 to play in the first quarter during the Jags 28-25 victory Sunday December 19, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay , WI.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) breaks away for a 46-yard run in the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback #7 Byron Leftwich (right) hands off to running back #28 Fred Taylor during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the Jags 28-25 victory Sunday December 19, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay , WI.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor (28) is congratulated by quarterback Byron Leftwich after a touchdown run in the second half against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 19, 2004, in Green Bay, Wis. The Jaguars won 28-25. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, runs for first quarter yardage as Seattle Seahawks defender Andre Dyson, right, attempts to make the tackle, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor, right, looks for running room in the fourth quarter as Cincinnati Bengals defender Anthony Mitchell waits to make the tackle Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor (28) dives into the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown run as Houston Texans' Demarcus Faggins (38) tries to tackle him during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005 in Houston. The Jaguars beat the Texans, 38-20. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Fred Taylor during the Jaguars 38-20 victory over the Houston Texans Saturday December 24, 2005 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, runs against the Dallas Cowboys in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 10, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla. Taylor and the Jaguars face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday, Sept. 18. (AP Photo/Phil Coale, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, drags along Pittsburgh Steelers defender Clark Haggans, left, during the third quarter of a National Football League game, Monday, Sept. 18, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor runs past New York Jet linebacker Brad Kassell in the first quarter of their football game Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006 in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo Stephen Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor pulls away from Philadelphia Eagles Sean Considine for a touchdown in the first half of their football game Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor, center, celebrates with teammates Derrick Winbush, left, and Khalif Barnes, after scoring a first-quarter touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006, in Philadelphia. The Jaguars won 13-6. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, runs behind the block of teammate Chad Naeole, center, as Tennessee Titans defender Kyle Vander Bosch, right, works during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, runs for second-quarter yardage as Indianapolis Colts' Matt Giordano, left, moves in to make the tackle during a National Football League game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, runs around the block of teammate Brad Meester, bottom, as Indianapolis Colts defender Cato June, right, moves in on the play during the first quarter of a National Football League game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor runs away from Atlanta Falcons defender Keith Brooking, right, during the third quarter of a National Football League game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won, 13-7.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor (28) rushes for extra yardage as Denver Broncos safety Nick Ferguson gives chase during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Denver, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor (28) in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the second half of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Dick Whipple)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter of a football game Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007 in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, runs for first-quarter yardage as Houston Texans' Von Hutchins, left, attempts to make the tackle during a National Football League game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.( AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor carries in the first quarter during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday Oct. 28, 2007 in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor (28) dances away from Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ronde Barber after a missed tackle during the first quarter of a football game Sunday Oct. 28, 2007' in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Quinn Gray (5) hands off to running back Fred Taylor (28) in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. Gray threw for 101 yards and a touchdown and Taylor ran for a touchdown as the Jaguars won 28-13. Defending for Tennessee is defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (93). (AP Photo/John Russell)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, runs for third-quarter yardage as San Diego Chargers' Clinton Hart prepares to make the tackle during a National Football League game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 24-17.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, is tackled by Buffalo Bills linebacker Angelo Crowell after a third-quarter run during an NFL football game, in this Nov. 25, 2007 file photo, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 36-14. (AP Photo/Phil Coale, file)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, looks back at Buffalo Bills defender George Wilson as he runs for a first-quarter touchdown in a National Football League game, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, runs for second quarter yardage during a National Football League game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, smiles as he celebrates his fourth-quarter touchdown run against the Carolina Panthers during a National Football League game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. Teammate Bobby McCray, left, looks on. Jacksonville won, 34-6.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) breaks away for a long run past Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, backgroundright, in the second quarter of the NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Larry Foote, left, can't wrap up Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) during first quarter NFL football action in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) runs for a game winning touchdown in the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, stiff-arms Pittsburgh Steelers safety Anthony Smith after a long run in the second quarter of the NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, left, is greeted by head coach Jack Del Rio after scoring what proved to be the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Jaguars beat the Steelers, 29-22, handing the Steelers their first loss at home this season. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, is greeted by head coach Jack Del Rio after scoring what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007. The Jaguars beat the Steelers, 29-22, handing the Steelers thie first loss at home this season.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end #95 Paul Spicer (left) and running back #28 Fred Taylor celebrate the Jags 29-22 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. (The Florida Times-Union, Rick Wilson)
Jacksonville Jaguars fans show their appreciation for running back Fred Taylor as they display his name during a National Football League game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won 49-11. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio, center, congratulates running back Fred Taylor, left, and quarterback David Garrard following Taylor's first-quarter touchdown run against the Oakland Raiders in an NFL football game, in this Dec. 23, 2007 file photo, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jacksonville won, 49-11. The Jaguars play Pittsburgh on Saturday night Jan. 5, 2007 in first round of the AFC playoffs. (AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Pittsburgh Steelers defenders Troy Polamalu, left, and Ike Taylor, right, haul down Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor (28) during first quarter NFL wild-card playoff football action in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Tom E. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Larry Foote, 50, and Brett Keisel, 99, haul down Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor after a short gain during third quarter NFL wild card playoff football action in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. The Jaguars won 31-29. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, center, celebrates with quarterback David Garrard, left ,and fellow running back Fred Taylor after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL wildcard football playoff game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger talks to Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor after NFL wild card playoff football action in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008The Jaguars won 31-29. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor walks off the field after NFL wild card playoff football action in Pittsburgh against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. The Jaguars won 31-29. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Pittsburgh Steelers' Troy Polamalu, left, congratulates Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor after an NFL wild card playoff football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008. The Jaguars won 31-29. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor, right, and Green Bay Packers Brett Favre are seen at the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year press conference Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in Phoenix. Favre won the FedEx Air Player of the Year and Taylor the FedEx Ground Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jacksonville Jaguars Fred Taylor is seen at the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Year press conference Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, in Phoenix. Taylor was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Year. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor shows off the Hawaiian "shaka" after AFC practice, Friday, Feb. 8, 2008, in Kapolei, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, right, signs autographs during the second day of football training camp, Sunday, July 27, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla.(AP Photo/Phil Coale)
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio takes a knee as he is congratulated by running back Fred Taylor as time expired in a 23-21 win over the Indianapolis Colts in NFL football action in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor runs against the Denver Broncos during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
