{{Short description|American football player (1895–1971)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Tarzan Taylor | image = Tarzan Taylor, 1922.png | caption = Taylor while playing for the Canton Bulldogs in 1922 | birth_date = {{birth_date|1895|01|10}} | birth_place = Superior, Wisconsin, U.S. | death_date = {{death date and age|1971|5|1|1895|1|10}} | death_place = Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lbs = 173 | position = Guard | college = Hamline (1916–1917)<br/>Ohio State (1919–1920) | highlights = * 2× NFL champion (1921, 1922) * First-team All-Big Ten (1920) | pfr = TaylTa20 | teams = * Chicago Staleys ({{NFL Year|1921}}) * Canton Bulldogs ({{NFL Year|1922}}) * Brooklyn Lions / Horsemen ({{NFL Year|1926}}) | pastcoaching = * Michigan Agricultural / State (1923–1925)<br/>Line coach * Ohio (1927)<br/>Line coach * Ohio State (1928)<br/>Line coach * Marquette (1929–1940)<br/>Line coach * Baltimore Colts (1947)<br/>Line coach * Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1950|1952}})<br/>Line coach | pastadmin = * Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|1948|1949}})<br/>Scout }} '''John Lachlan''' "'''Tarzan'''" '''Taylor''' (January 10, 1895 – May 1, 1971<ref>{{cite web |title=Tarzan Taylor |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylTa20.htm |accessdate=2015-10-23 |publisher=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}</ref>) was an American football guard. He for the Chicago Staleys, Canton Bulldogs, and Brooklyn Lions / Horsemen of the National Football League (NFL). Taylor was a two-time APFA/NFL champion in 1921 and 1922 with the Staleys and Bulldogs respectively. He played college football for Ohio State.

== Early life and college career == Taylor was born on January 19, 1895, in Superior, Wisconsin. He attended Central High School and Martins Ferry High School before enrolling at Hamline University.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kramnic |first=Fran |date=August 8, 1951 |title='Tarzan' Taylor Was Tough |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-duluth-news-tribune-tarzan-taylor/166960370/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Duluth News Tribune |pages=12}}</ref> He transferred to Ohio State and was a member of the 1920 football team that went 7–1 and made a Rose Bowl appearance. During his collegiate career, Taylor earned the nickname "'''Man-Eater'''."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Ed R. |date=January 4, 1921 |title=Charley Erb Fine Engineer, Says Powell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/san-francisco-chronicle-charley-erb-fine/166878405/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=San Francisco Chronicle |pages=14}}</ref> Following his senior season, he was named a consensus First-team All-Big Ten guard.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Grove |first=Roy |date=October 20, 1921 |title=Five All American Stars in Staleys Lineup |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-castle-herald-five-all-american-star/166878981/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=New Castle Herald |pages=13}}</ref>

== Playing career == In September 1921, Taylor signed with the Chicago Staleys of the American Professional Football Association (APFA)—now known the National Football League (NFL). He joined former Ohio State football stars Chic Harley and Gaylord Stinchcomb.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1921 |title=Tarzan' Taylor to Join Staleys |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-tarzan-taylor-to-joi/166878523/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=Detroit Free Press |pages=24}}</ref>

In 1922, Taylor joined the Canton Bulldogs of the recently rebranded NFL.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 18, 1922 |title=This Pair Intends Making Trouble for Akron Professional Team |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-this-pair-inten/166879188/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 27, 1922 |title=Chicago Bears Meet Canton Bulldogs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-fort-wayne-journal-gazette-chicago-b/166879230/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette |pages=21}}</ref>

In 1926, after receiving a leave of absence from Taylor's coaching duties, he signed with the Brooklyn Lions / Horsemen of the American Football League (AFL) and later the NFL.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 10, 1926 |title=Horsemen Play Wildcats Today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-horsemen-play-wildcats-to/166955816/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Brooklyn Eagle |pages=34}}</ref>

==Coaching career== In 1923, Taylor was hired by Ralph H. Young of Michigan Agricultural College—now known as Michigan State University—as the team's line coach.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 11, 1923 |title=New Coach Reports to Young at M. A. C. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-new-coach-reports/166879468/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |work=Lansing State Journal |pages=10}}</ref> Following the 1925 season Taylor was granted leave.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 21, 1926 |title="Tarzan" Taylor is Granted Leave |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-saginaw-news-tarzan-taylor-is-gran/166955480/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Saginaw News |pages=18}}</ref>

After one year out of coaching, Taylor was hired as the line coach for Ohio University under head coach Don Peden.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 27, 1927 |title=Tarzen Taylor New Ohio U Grid Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-akron-beacon-journal-tarzen-taylor-n/166955934/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Akron Beacon Journal |pages=23}}</ref> In 1928, he was named the line coach for his alma mater, Ohio State.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 30, 1928 |title=May Be What's Needed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wilmington-news-journal-may-be-whats-ne/166956213/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Wilmington News-Journal |pages=6}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Ward |first=Grant P. |date=November 27, 1928 |title=Illinois and Minnesota Picked As Best in Big Ten at Start of Season |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/springfield-news-sun-illinois-and-minnes/166956275/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Springfield News-Sun |pages=18}}</ref> Following John Wilce's retirement, Taylor was not retained by new head coach Sam Willaman. Taylor then was hired by Marquette University for the same position.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 20, 1929 |title="Tarzan" Taylor to Be Marquette Line Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dayton-herald-tarzan-taylor-to-be/166956539/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Dayton Herald |pages=20}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1929 |title="Tarzan" Taylor, New Marquette Line Coach, Highly Optimistic |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news-tarzan-taylor-new-marque/166956589/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Kenosha News |pages=9}}</ref> He was one of the few potential candidates named to fill the Iowa line coach position under head coach Ossie Solem,<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 12, 1934 |title=Solem May Have New Assistants |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-solem-may-have-new-assistant/166957558/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Courier |pages=9}}</ref> but he ultimately remained with Marquette. After 12 total seasons, Taylor was eventually not retained after Paddy Driscoll's firing in 1940.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Husted |first=Bob |date=January 25, 1941 |title=Tarzan Taylor Is Looking For Job |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dayton-herald-tarzan-taylor-is-looki/166958746/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Dayton Herald |pages=6}}</ref>

Following Taylor's firing from Marquette, he took a six year break from coaching before returning in 1947 for the Baltimore Colts of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) under head coach Cecil Isbell.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 18, 1947 |title=Tarzan Taylor To Aid Isbell At Baltimore |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/two-rivers-reporter-tarzan-taylor-to-aid/166959389/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Two Rivers Reporter |pages=10}}</ref>

In 1948, Taylor worked as scout for the Chicago Bears of the NFL.

In 1950, Taylor returned to on-field coaching as the line coach for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL for the newly hired Gene Ronzani.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 11, 1950 |title=Tarzan Taylor Lands Position On Green Bay Coaching Staff |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-tarzan-taylor-land/166960037/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The La Crosse Tribune |pages=15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=April 12, 1950 |title=Green Bay Picks Assistant Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-green-bay-pick/166960107/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Austin American-Statesman |pages=18}}</ref> His contract was not renewed when it expired in 1952.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1953 |title=Tarzan Taylor Is Out as Green Bay Assistant Coach |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/janesville-weekly-gazette-tarzan-taylor/166960704/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Janesville Weekly Gazette |pages=12}}</ref>

==Personal life== In February 1931, Taylor's mother died in Duluth, Minnesota.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 17, 1931 |title=Tarzan Taylor's Mother Dies at Duluth, Minn. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-tarzan-taylors/166956723/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=Wisconsin State Journal |pages=25}}</ref> In September 1931, Taylor was hospitalized in Milwaukee with pneumonia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 3, 1931 |title=Tarzan Taylor, Hilltop Coach, Has Pneumonia |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-tarzan-taylor-hilltop/166956885/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Capital Times |pages=16}}</ref> In December 1934, he was hospitalized again, this time for an ankle fracture he suffered after falling while getting out of his taxi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1934 |title='Tarzan' Taylor, Hilltop Line Coach, Hurt Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-tarzan-taylor-hillt/166957363/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Capital Times |pages=4}}</ref> While attending a Chicago Bears game at Wrigley Field, Taylor suffered a heat attack and was hospitalized at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 19, 1955 |title='Tarzan' Taylor Has Heart Attack |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-tarzan-taylor-has-he/166960879/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Capital Times |pages=18}}</ref>

Taylor died on May 1, 1971, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1971 |title=Tarzan Taylor dies in Green Bay |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-post-tarzan-taylor-dies-i/166961272/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Cincinnati Post |pages=40}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 2, 1971 |title='Tarzan' Taylor Is Dead At 76 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-tarzan-taylor/166961322/ |access-date=March 1, 2025 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |pages=40}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Findagrave|192992058}}

{{1921 Chicago Staleys}} {{1922 Canton Bulldogs}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taylor, Tarzan}} Category:1895 births Category:1971 deaths Category:American football guards Category:Baltimore Colts (1947–1950) coaches Category:Brooklyn Horsemen players Category:Brooklyn Lions players Category:Canton Bulldogs players Category:Chicago Bears scouts Category:Chicago Staleys players Category:Green Bay Packers coaches Category:Hamline Pipers football players Category:Marquette Golden Avalanche football coaches Category:Michigan State Spartans football coaches Category:Ohio Bobcats football coaches Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football coaches Category:Ohio State Buckeyes football players Category:Coaches of American football from Wisconsin Category:Players of American football from Wisconsin Category:Sportspeople from Superior, Wisconsin