March 24, 2017

Jason Taylor 2017 NFL Hall-of-Fame Inductee

Guest Speaker for Friday, October 27, 2017 “Sports Legends” Speaker Series Luncheon

Charlotte, N.C. – The Charlotte Touchdown Club is thrilled to announce 2017 NFL Hall-of-Fame Inductee, Jason Taylor, as one of this year’s luncheon guest speakers.  The 2017 “Sports Legends” Speaker Series Luncheon will be hosted Friday, October 27th at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel.  An estimated sell-out crowd of more than 750 people is anticipated.  The event will be hosted in the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel’s grand ballroom from 12:00pm to 1:30pm.  (Silent Auction from 11:15am to 11:45am)  PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE TOUCHDOWN CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND!                          

Defensive End Jason Taylor was selected in the third round, 73rd player overall, in the 1997 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Taylor was no stranger to sacking the quarterback as evidenced by his school-record 21 career quarterback takedowns at the University of Akron. That did not change at the pro level and by the time Taylor’s 15-year career was over, he had tallied 139.5 career sacks which ranked sixth in league annals at the time of his retirement.

Taylor earned a role as a starter early in his rookie season and tallied 5.0 sacks, 50 total tackles, two fumble recoveries and three passes defended. He logged these numbers despite missing three games due to a fractured forearm. His dominant play helped pave the way for the first of five straight postseason berths for Miami.

Taylor quickly became the anchor of the Dolphins’ tough and aggressive defense. In 1998, he recorded nine sacks and a team-high four forced fumbles)., Taylor earned the first of six career Pro Bowl invitations after the 2000 season when he recorded 14.5 sacks along with 68 total tackles, an interception, four fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and five passes defended. The effort earned Taylor team MVP honors and was the first of six seasons in which he logged double-digits in sacks.

Taylor, who led the league in sacks with 18.5 in 2002, enjoyed his finest season in 2006 when he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. That season, he terrorized offenses with 62 total tackles, a team-high 13.5 sacks, two interceptions returned for scores, 11 passes defended, 10 forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.

A three-time first-team All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowl and a four-time All-AFC choice (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), Taylor had brief stints with the Washington Redskins (2008) and New York Jets (2010).

Taylor was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s.

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