Best of the Packers: Top 10 running backs since 1960
By Phil Watson
1. Jim Taylor (1958-66)
The Green Bay Packers selected a big fullback from LSU, Jim Taylor, in the second round of the 1958 NFL Draft and what they got was their bellwether back for four championships.
Taylor was the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1962, when he led the NFL with 1,474 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns, also earning All-Pro honors. He was a five-time Pro Bowler from 1960-64, when he became the first running back in NFL history to top the 1,000-yard mark five straight times.
Taylor also led the NFL in rushing scores in 1961, when he scored 15 times.
Part of four championship teams, Taylor was traded to the expansion New Orleans Saints in July 1967 in exchange for linebacker Phil Vandersea and a first-round pick in 1968.
In nine seasons with the Packers, Taylor rushed 1,811 times for 8,207 yards and 81 touchdowns, adding 187 receptions for 1,505 yards and 10 scores.
His 8,207 rushing yards are second in franchise history, while his 81 rushing touchdowns remain a Packers all-time record. He is second in team history with 91 total touchdowns.
After one year with the Saints, Taylor retired in September 1968.
Taylor was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 1975 and entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1976.
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