Henry Taylor (born November 29, 1975) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) and Arena Football League (AFL). He was signed by the San Diego Chargers of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1998. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Taylor played for the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins of the NFL, the Dallas Desperados, New Orleans VooDoo, Nashville Kats, Orlando Predators, New York Dragons and Jacksonville Sharks of the AFL, and the Frankfurt Galaxy of NFL Europe.
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Early life
Taylor was born in Broward County, Florida. He played high school football at Barnwell High School in Barnwell, South Carolina as a tight end and defensive tackle. He totaled 82 tackles, 12 sacks and seven forced fumbles his senior year, earning all-state and class AA Lineman of the Year honors. Taylor graduated from Barnwell in 1994.
College career
Taylor played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1994 to 1997. He played in 10 games, starting two, his freshman year in 1994, recording 14 tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. He appeared in 11 games, starting 10, in 1995, accumulating 26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and two pass breakups while also being named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll. Taylor appeared in 11 games, starting 10, for the second consecutive season in 1996, recording 50 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. He played in 11 games, starting 10, for the third straight year in 1997, totaling 46 tackles and 5.5 sacks, earning second-team All-SEC.
Professional career
Taylor signed with the San Diego Chargers on April 20, 1998 after going undrafted in the 1998 NFL draft. He was released on July 13, re-signed on July 31 and released again on August 25, 1998.
Taylor was signed to the practice squad of the Detroit Lions on September 2, 1998. He was later promoted to the active roster and played in one game for the Lions during the 1998 season, recording two solo tackles. He was placed on injured reserve on December 19, 1998. Taylor was allocated to the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europe in 1999 but did not play in any games for the team. He was released by the Lions on September 5, 1999 but re-signed to the practice squad two days later. Taylor was allocated to NFL Europe for the second straight year in 2000, playing for the Frankfurt Galaxy during the 2000 NFL Europe season. He appeared in 10 games, starting nine, for the Galaxy, recording 26 tackles and six sacks. Taylor was released by the Lions on August 27, 2000.
Taylor signed with the Atlanta Falcons on November 1, 2000 and played in five games for the Falcons in 2000, totaling four solo tackles. He was released on March 28, 2001.
Taylor was signed by the Chicago Bears on July 27, 2001. He appeared in one game for the Bears during the 2001 season but recorded no statistics. On October 5, 2001, he was suspended four games for violating the NFL's steroid policy. Taylor was released by the Bears on October 29, 2001.
Taylor signed with the Miami Dolphins on December 4, 2001 and played in two games for the Dolphins in 2001, making one solo tackle.
Taylor was signed by the Dallas Desperados of the Arena Football League (AFL) on January 3, 2003. He spent time playing both offensive line and defensive line during his time in the AFL as the league played under ironman rules. He was placed on injured reserve on January 28, 2003. Taylor played in nine games, starting one, for the Desperados in 2003, accumulating seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He appeared in 12 games in 2004, totaling 18 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble. He was waived by the Desperados on May 11, 2004.