John Taylor lives his mantra: ‘Never give up’

Two years after debilitating accident, former NFL lineman spreads ?message of hope and resilience|

Two years ago this Aug. 21, John Taylor, a former 49ers offensive lineman and Sonoma businessman, was involved in a head-on collision on his drive back from an event in Santa Rosa. Doctors initially gave him a 1 percent chance of survival. And if he did survive, the odds he’d ever walk or talk again were slim.

Now, two years after the accident and with extensive physical and speech therapy, Taylor has far surpassed his doctors’ expectations.

He’s back at work, once again a familiar fixture in town -- with his attention turned to a new project in the hopes of inspiring others with his story and his mantra: “Never Give Up.”

“He really is a miracle man,” said his son Allen Taylor, who graduated from Sonoma Valley High in 1999 and Princeton University in 2003. “He has one of the most amazing attitudes and spirits.”

Just before his accident, Taylor ordered 20,000 wristbands with the words “Never Give Up” emblazoned across – with the intent to distribute them at school fundraisers across the county.

The year’s theme soon turned personal for him and his staff. When the event rolled around, Taylor was still in the hospital, but his employees stepped up to share his story and pass out more than 12,000 wristbands.

“The reaction was unbelievable,” said Taylor. “Entire schools were wearing the wristbands.”

The reception inspired Taylor and his family. They started handing out wristbands to doctors, nurses, patients and parents at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, then to Taylor’s own speech and physical therapists at Sonoma Valley Hospital and Parkpoint Health Club.

“Everywhere I went in Sonoma, I would always have bags of a 100 or so wristbands,” said Taylor. “I have handed out more than 2,000 wristbands in town.”

Taylor, a Southern California native, landed in Sonoma more than 25 years ago, lured to the town by his old college roommate Hank Marioni. After attending El Camino Junior College for two years, he transferred in 1973 to the University of the Pacific on a football scholarship, where he roomed with Marioni, now the owner of the Swiss Hotel, who would one day introduce him to the small town.

Taylor’s rookie year in professional football was 1975, when he played for the Portland Thunder in the short-lived World Football League. From there Taylor moved to the New York Jets and then signed with the San Francisco 49ers before being released in 1979 following a major knee surgery.

“In the 1970s-era, most guys played for competition, teamwork and loyalty to your team. Not just for the money,” said Taylor. “My first year I was 20 years old - the youngest player on the team. We earned $500 per game, plus a percentage of the net receipts per game… which due to small crowds was zero dollars!”

After his career in professional football came to an end, Taylor became involved in fundraising for public schools, and eventually founded his own company, Valley of the Moon Fundraising, which he sold earlier this year.

“Our garage and shed were always filled with prizes and the things that were going to be given out this year,” recalled Allen Taylor. “The idea of giving out wristbands has been a part of his life for a long time. It was a natural continuation.”

With his company under new ownership, Taylor is gearing up for a new project. He is thinking of founding a “Never Give Up” foundation, and when his speech gets better, he hopes to become a motivational speaker. “I’m so excited about my future and to help people,” he said.

His road to recovery is challenging one, but his mood is high. He says, “No matter how bad it gets or how hard your future looks, you have to remember to never give up.”

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