The Homegoing Celebration of Legendary Chiefs Player, Otis Taylor Jr.
Otis Taylor, Jr.
There is much to be said about the gentle giant that some would affectionately call “OT “and chuckle about the story of his quickly signing with the Chiefs and out of the handsof the Dallas Cowboys, who were hiding him in an effort to later sign him to a contract.
Others continue to share the exciting tale of his signature touchdown in Super Bowl IV that would have the Kansas City Chiefs bringing home their 1st Lombardi Trophy,
crowning him a Kansas City Icon.
Otis Taylor, Jr was the second child born on August 11,1942, to Lillian Lee and Otis
Taylor, Sr in Houston, Texas. A strong family bond would make him the center of his
older sister, Florence’s (Odell) eye as their life’s bond was unbreakable.
An alum of Worthing High School, Otis was an outstanding quarterback and also played basketball, baseball and ran track. He won back-to-back Black college national championships at Prairie View University A&M in 1963 and 1964. To this day, he remains the school’s career leader with 2,220 receiving yards, and his No. 17 jersey was the first in Panther’s history to be retired.
His talent did not go unnoticed as he emerged as a star receiver at Prairie View A&M.
Otis was drafted in the fourth round of the American Football League (AFL) draft by the Chiefs and in the 15th round of the National Football League (NFL) draft by the
Philadelphia Eagles. As a two-time AFL champion and an AFL MVP, he played for the
Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 to 1975, being a part of the Chiefs family for 11 years.
Finishing his career with 7,306 yards, 410 passes and 57 receiving touchdowns, Otis
ranks third in Chiefs history in receiving yards, after Tony Gonzalez and Travis Kelce.
He was one of the most dynamic receivers of his era, and he helped revolutionize the
position. Taylor was inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Honor in 1982 and into the Black
College Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
But there’s another side to Otis Taylor, the husband of Regina Hill Taylor, his wife of 35 years and father to his son, Otis Taylor, III. Off-the-field, he was kind and dedicated not only to his family but to his community. His presence was known as he continued to serve on Boards and commissions throughout the Greater Kansas City area. His work with the Enshriners, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Douglas Bank, and as a spokesperson for many organizations were just a few examples of his selfless love for Kansas City. He embraced the works of the legendary Derrick Thomas and upon his untimely passing, immediately stepped in to provide support and leadership to the Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith Third and Long Foundation.
Otis' legacy will live forever not only for sport enthusiasts across the country but with those who never met him but loved what he stood for in purpose and passion and for his family and friends. He was one of the greatest players in this game called life, rich in character, kindness, compassion, and determination.
Otis was preceded in death by both parents, Lillian Lee and Otis Taylor, Sr.
On March 9, 2023, Otis Taylor, #89 was inducted into the largest Hall of Fame. He
leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Regina Taylor; his sister, Florence (Odell); his son, Otis III and a host of family and friends.
Order of Service
Processional
Prayer
Pastor John Modest Miles
(Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church)
Scripture
Old Testament - Pastor Ronald Lindsay
(Concord Fortress of Hope Church)
New Testament – Pastor Desmond Lamb
(Forest Grove Baptist Church)
Remarks
Pastor James A. Terrance, Jr.
(Friendship Baptist Church)
Musical Selection
St. Monica’s Choir (Oh Happy Day)
Reflections
Clark Hunt – Chairman/CEO of the Kansas City Chiefs
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II – United States Representative
Kevin Regan - Regan Law Firm
Dr. Will E. McCarther - The Enshriners
George Gates - Gates Barbecue
Bobby Bell – Former Kansas City Chiefs (Superbowl Teammate)
President Betty Brown and Chairman Neil Smith - Derrick Thomas/Neil Smith
Third and Long Foundation
Special Tribute
Otis Taylor, III
Honors and Tributes
Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr.
John Guy, Former Vice President of Pro Personnel, Buffalo Bills
Dr. Marjorie Williams
Musical Selection
Tim Robinson (Stand)
Words of Comfort
Pastor Michael C. Phillips
(Paradise Missionary Baptist Church)
Recessional
(Amazing Grace)
Kevin Regan, Pastor Michael C. Phillips, and St. Monica’s Choir
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Celebration of Life for Ronald "Ronnie" McFadden: Life of a Hoofer
Ronnie and his siblings were raised by their parents in the Jazz District of Kansas City, Missouri. His father, renowned tap dancer and musician Jimmy McFadden, had a strong influence on Lonnie's musical development. Jimmy, known as “Pops,” toured nationally with top, national jazz orchestras in his youth. He held deep roots in the Kansas City jazz scene and brought influential local talents into the McFadden's home and social circles. Jimmy had Lonnie and his brother Ronald in tap shoes before they reached kindergarten, and he required the boys to study piano.[1] He ushered them to the stage at Kansas City's Muehlbach Hotel when Lonnie was seven and Ronald, six. The brothers performed in The Mutual Musicians Foundation, the world's oldest jazz jam room, when they were still in grade school. Entering middle school, Lonnie quit tap dancing and took up trumpet.
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