Jim Taylor

Lore & Background

Jim Taylor arrived in Indianapolis in 1962 as a proven force already, having spent four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. In the Motor City, he became the engine of the Colts' offense—a back who could carry the ball on third-and-long, punch through double-teams, and set the tone for a team that prided itself on physicality. His running style was less about elusiveness and more about raw, relentless power, a quality that made him a nightmare for defensive linemen and linebackers alike.

During his five seasons in Indianapolis, Taylor was a steady, dependable presence in a Colts roster that was building toward its legendary dynasty. He shared the backfield with other talented backs, but his ability to gain tough yards and finish drives made him an indispensable part of the coaching staff's game plans. Fans at the old Colt Stadium would pack in to see a back who treated every yard like a personal challenge, cutting through gaps with shoulders squared and eyes fixed forward.

Taylor's legacy in Indianapolis is that of a player who embodied the grit and determination the city came to associate with the Colts. Even after his return to Green Bay for a final season, the memory of his powerful runs through the middle of the field remained a touchstone for Colts fans who grew up in the early-to-mid 1960s.

In Their Own Story

The November wind off the Ohio River bit through the crowd at Colt Stadium, but inside the end zone the air was thick with the smell of cut grass and sweat. Taylor lined up in the shotgun, helmet low, eyes scanning the defensive front. The snap came, the guard set, and the center drove the ball into his hands. He didn't wait. He lowered his shoulder and hit the A-gap like a freight train, feeling the first defender's hand slide off his pad, the second's helmet clang against his own. He kept running. Two more yards. Three. The whistle blew, and the crowd roared as if the ground itself had shifted. He peeled off his gloves, shook his hands, and turned back to the huddle. There was more work to do.

Reader's Guide

Era at the Colts: 1962–1966. Jim Taylor was a central figure in the Indianapolis Colts' early identity as a franchise, anchoring the running game during a period when the team was cementing its reputation for physical, balanced football.

Playing Style: Taylor was a quintessential power back. His game was built on a low center of gravity, exceptional balance, and the willingness to hit defenders square-on and keep moving. He excelled in short-yardage situations, goal-line work, and third-down conversions where a team needed a reliable, if unglamorous, gain. His ability to break tackles and absorb contact without losing momentum made him a favorite of offensive coordinators.

Greatest Achievements: A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Taylor was recognized as one of the league's top backs during his prime. His induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981 cemented his status as one of the great running backs of the 1960s.

Legacy: In Indianapolis, Taylor is remembered as the back who gave the early Colts their physical identity. He set a standard for toughness and reliability that subsequent generations of Colts running backs were measured against. For fans who attended games in the early-to-mid 1960s, the sight of Taylor powering through the line was the image that defined the team's character.

Did You Know?

• Jim Taylor was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft before being traded to the Indianapolis Colts, where he spent five seasons.
• He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1981, a recognition of his impact across both the Packers and Colts franchises.
• Taylor's running style was defined by power and contact tolerance rather than speed or elusiveness, making him a specialist in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
• He earned four Pro Bowl selections during his career, a testament to his consistency as one of the league's top running backs.