By Darin Bruce Taylor electrifies football history as one of the most dynamic dual-threat defensive backs to ever step onto a collegiate gridiron. Defying the traditional boundaries of his position, Taylor dominated the 1969 season by shutting down opposing passing lanes and torturing special teams units across the country. His unique ability to transform a simple punt return into a breathtaking touchdown dash caught the immediate attention of professional scouts in both Major League Baseball and the NFL. Check out the incredible journey of this gridiron pioneer who skipped the diamond to become a certified star in the professional ranks.
Football Bio
May 28, 1948 – Perth Amboy, New Jersey – Bruce Taylor, who played for Boston University as a cornerback from 1967 to 1969, was born.
The FootballFoundation.org claims that in the 1969 season, the Terriers went 9-1, and Taylor played defensive back and punt returner. He scored four times on punt returns of 100, 72, 64, and 56 yards. He scored 6 touchdowns and led his team in scoring with 36 points. He returned 26 punts for 527 yards, an average of 20.3 per return. The National Football Foundation selected Bruce Taylor for entrance into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Bruce’s athletic talent earned him a draft by MLB’s Baltimore Orioles, but he instead stuck to football and played pro ball with the San Francisco 49ers for 8 seasons, and in 1970 was named Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News and United Press International.
Conclusion
Bruce Taylor leaves an incredible legacy as an elite defender who weaponized special teams play like no other player of his era. He permanently etched his name into Boston University lore by translating pure speed into high-scoring big plays during the Terriers’ historic 1969 campaign. By securing Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in the NFL and anchoring the secondary for the San Francisco 49ers, Taylor proved that small-school legends could absolutely dominate at the highest levels of the sport. His 1997 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame ensures that future generations will always remember his game-changing versatility.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1997.
- NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year: 1970 (Associated Press, Sporting News, UPI, Pro Football Weekly).
- NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 1972.
- First-Team Little All-American: 1969.
- Second-Team All-American: 1969.
- NCAA Punt Return Statistical Champion: Led the nation with a 20.3-yard average in 1969.
- Bulger Lowe Award Winner: Honored as the outstanding college football player in New England (1969).
- Boston University Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1970.
- NFL Draft History: Selected in the First Round (17th overall) of the 1970 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
- NFL Special Teams Leader: Led the NFC in punt return yards (516) during the 1970 season.