Robert Taylor (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Robert Taylor (September 14, 1948, Tyler, Texas – November 13, 2007, Houston, Texas) was a former American
athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay
at the 1972 Summer Olympics
. He is the father of NFL player Bobby Taylor.
Taylor won the AAU
championships in 100 m in 1972 and in 400 m in 1977. At the Munich
Olympics
, Taylor was second in the 100 m. Unlike his teammates Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson Taylor was narrowly able to reach the start of his quarterfinal race, when their coach Stan Wright unknowingly used an outdated Olympic schedule and failed to deliver his athletes to the track in time. Taylor also ran the second leg in the American 4x100 m relay team, which won a gold medal and equalled the United States' own world record
of 38.19.
At the 1975 Pan American Games
, Taylor was a member of gold medal winning 4x400 m relay team.
He tried out for the National Football League
's Kansas City Chiefs
as a wide receiver
, but did not make it because he could not catch the ball.
Taylor became a teacher
in Missouri City, Texas
, before his death in 2007 of a heart attack. He graduated from Texas Southern University
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete, winner of gold medal in 4x100 m relay
Relay race
During a relay race, members of a team take turns running, orienteering, swimming, cross-country skiing, biathlon, or ice skating parts of a circuit or performing a certain action. Relay races take the form of professional races and amateur games...
at the 1972 Summer Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
. He is the father of NFL player Bobby Taylor.
Taylor won the AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
championships in 100 m in 1972 and in 400 m in 1977. At the Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, Taylor was second in the 100 m. Unlike his teammates Eddie Hart and Rey Robinson Taylor was narrowly able to reach the start of his quarterfinal race, when their coach Stan Wright unknowingly used an outdated Olympic schedule and failed to deliver his athletes to the track in time. Taylor also ran the second leg in the American 4x100 m relay team, which won a gold medal and equalled the United States' own world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
of 38.19.
At the 1975 Pan American Games
Pan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
, Taylor was a member of gold medal winning 4x400 m relay team.
He tried out for the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
as a wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, but did not make it because he could not catch the ball.
Taylor became a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
in Missouri City, Texas
Missouri City, Texas
Missouri City is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the metropolitan area. The city is mostly in Fort Bend County with a small portion within Harris County. As of the 2000 U.S...
, before his death in 2007 of a heart attack. He graduated from Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University
Texas Southern University is a historically black university located in Houston, Texas, United States....
.