CHARLEY HOARSE
As the DDP front page showrunner changes hands, the personal perspectives and tastes that seep into the obits also change. But even with an American now writing them, you’re talking to an American so sport-apathetic that she didn’t really realise this year’s Super Bowl was about to happen until the Friday of that weekend. So it’s almost as if these NFL obits were still msc penned!
A member of the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) for his entire career in the 60s and 70s, Charley Taylor had his greatest success as a wide receiver. He set a record for receptions that was later broken in 1984, but the pill was sweetened when he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame that same year. Soft-spoken and humble, his induction speech was brief and mostly thanking God. Now he’ll be able to show his gratitude in person following his death aged 80.
NFL Hall of Famers are QO gold these days. 2 out of the past 3 DDPs had one of them on the Drop 40, and this year would’ve continued the trend if Curly Howard or whatever the fuck his name was had any staying power. But this pick was dumb luck rather than astute – he was picked by a team full of Charles Taylors, most of whom are obscure local journalists or photographers who would have to die in a car crash with the Pope to stand a chance of UK press. This guy was one of the very few obitworthy ones besides the Liberian dictator, but a hit is a hit.
Charley Taylor
28 September 1941 – 19 February 2022, aged 80
💀💀💀💀💀💀 + 👻 = 10 POINTS