Bio

James Taylor

Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College (1965-67) / Football

Pascagoula, Miss.

James Taylor of Pascagoula played football at Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College from 1965-1967.

While still in high school, he was selected as the Most Valuable Back and was an Honorable Mention selection on the All-State football team. For his gridiron exploits, Taylor was awarded a football scholarship to Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College. At Gulf Coast, he was a valued and versatile performer where he played and excelled as a wide receiver, punt returner and defensive back. A truly gifted receiver and punt returner, he had the speed and elusiveness in the open field to be a scoring threat anytime the ball was in his hands. In the Saturday, November 12, 1966, game in which Perk beat Pearl River for the first time in 18 years, a Daily Herald reporter present at the game described Taylor’s actions: “Taylor fielded a punt on the Perk 10 and shed would-be tacklers like water bouncing off a duck’s back for 60 yards.”

In 1966, he scored on a 78-yard run against Itawamba, which at the time was the longest rushing touchdown in the annals of Gulf Coast football history. As a wide receiver, he had 44 receptions and scored five touchdowns. As a punt returner, he returned two all the way to pay dirt. His athleticism was further evidenced by his performance as a defensive back where he had three interceptions. His coverage skills were such that only one TD pass was completed in his coverage area in his two years at Gulf Coast. His performance at Gulf Coast was rewarded by his selection as Honorable Mention on the All-State team for both of his years at Gulf Coast He was also chosen to participate in the first annual Junior College All-Star football game. During that game, he turned in his usual stellar performance as he rushed for 100-plus yards and also had a pass reception.

After leaving Gulf Coast, he received a football scholarship to Mississippi College, where he played inside linebacker and receiver. After college, he enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard and retired as a Chief CW4 Warrant Officer after 33 years of service. He also served as a pastor for 42 years. In 2019, he retired from the ministry as the pastor at Lynn Ray Baptist Church, where he currently serves as Pastor Emeritus. He has been happily married for 49 years to Jeannie Broome of Petal. They reside in Petal near their daughter, son-in-law and grandson.