Sean Taylor died early Tuesday morning from complications pertaining to the gunshot wounds he sustained at his Miami home Monday morning. He was 24-years-old. Taylor, the starting free safety for the Washington Redskins, is survived by his 18-month-old daughter, his fiancée and parents.
Richard Sharpstein, Taylor’s attorney, told CNN that Sean’s father Pedro called him at approximately 5AM Tuesday to inform him of Sean’s passing. Sharpstein said Sean’s father “was overwrought with grief and called me to tell me that Sean was with God … They’re just overcome at this particular point with the loss of a son and father and friend and just an incredible person.”
Taylor’s femoral artery was severed in the shooting and despite the efforts of the first-responders and surgeons — including multiple transfusions and several hours of surgery — the massive blood loss Taylor suffered ultimately proved to be fatal.
According to the Associated Press, two carloads of mourners, including Taylor’s father, arrived at Sean’s house Tuesday morning. A single bouquet of flowers was left by a palm tree just outside the front gate.
Reports late Monday night suggested Taylor had been able to squeeze a doctor’s hand and respond to doctors’ commands; however, Sharpstein reported that Taylor never regained consciousness.
“Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something,” Sharpstein said.
Miami police have no suspects in the investigation at this time. Redskins Vice President of Football Operations Vinny Cerrato told the Washington Post that Taylor’s fiancee tried to call police from the house line, only to discover that the line had been cut. Cerrato told the Post the incident “was a deliberate attack.”
“This is the worst imaginable tragedy,” Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder told Redskins.com. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean’s family.”
Taylor was the fifth pick overall in the 2004 NFL draft out of Miami. He totaled 299 tackles and 12 interceptions in just under four seasons while developing into one of the league’s elite safeties.
“It’s a tremendously sad and unnecessary event,” Sharpstein said. “He was a wonderful, humble, talented young man, and had a huge life in front of him. Obviously God had other plans.”
At this time, funeral arrangements have not been announced, however the team has announced plans to hold a memorial service at Redskins Park tonight (Tuesday, November 27) at 6:00pm. In addition, the number 21 will be painted in the grassy parking area to the right of the guardhouse at Redskins park, as well as on the plaza in front of the Redskins’ Hall of Fame store located at FedEx Field. Fans will be given access to both of these areas to leave tributes or flowers in memory of Taylor.
TheHogs.Net staff and community would like to extend its deepest condolences to the Taylor family. You lost a relative and the world lost a special young man. “Such a long, long time to be gone, and a short time to be there.”
RIP Sean, you will forever be missed.
– Stephen Zorio
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Stephen Zorio