This page is here to memorialize and remember the career and tragically short life of Sean Taylor, who passed away on Nov. 27, 2007 as a result of a gun shot suffered in his home. He was just 24 years old. May he rest in peace.
He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten.
Trust Fund
Washington have established a trust fund to guarantee the support and education of Sean Taylor’s daughter Jackie. All donations should be made to:
The Sean Taylor Memorial Trust Fund
c/o The Washington Redskins
21300 Redskins Park Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147
Download the Sean Taylor Memorium Wallpaper
Sean Taylor Photos
Over the years, we were fortunate enough to grab some great photos of Sean at training camp – photos that show the real essence and spirit that he had – the man behind the mask.
Sean Taylor Stories From Redskin Fans
Sean’s death shook the Washington community to the core. He was adored by many. People were affected emotionally like it was a member of their own family. Here are some of the comments from the THN community at the time:
– Skinsfan55
“If there’s football in Heaven then I’ll think of Sean Taylor the next time I hear thunder.”
– NC43Hog
“He was always one of the last guys off the field at practice… always seemed to be having a good time, never in too much of a hurry to stop and sign autographs.
And the HAIR. God love him.”
– funbunch65
“I loved watching Sean Taylor square off against T.O. The loudest WR in football seemed to always be silenced after Taylor would smack him in the mouth a couple of times.
It was real treat to watch the man play, a true physical specimen and I think it is safe to say that there will never be another safety in the game like Sean Taylor.”
– Skinz74
“Sean was the player that Lavar, Heath, etc. never became…a fan adored superstar who made grueling losses bearable by his level of play. I’ll never forget that Eagles game in ’05… Our playoff chances were dangling in the wind… all of a sudden he picks off the pass and dives/rolls into the endzone. After we won that game, due to a dare, I ran around my neighborhood in nothing but boxers and a redskins flag singing Hail To The Redskins.
He loved the game, and you could see it in his face. The determination must have been hidden behind the gleem, because I only remember the smiles. It was infectious…as you could see how his level of play raised the bar for everyone around him. “
– JansenFan
Most of the time, when you hear Sean Taylor’s name, you hear about the monster hits. I was lucky enough to witness a very different side of ST yesterday. My son, Jackson, is a near-six year old that has gained a bit of a reputation as a kid with an uncanny knowledge of Redskins personnel. Just prior to turning two, we bought him a ‘Skins’ yearbook and he would ask who the players were. Soon, he could name EVERY player listed inside that guide.
So… I was taking Jackson around getting autographs from some of his favorite players and I spied Sean Taylor. Jackson walks up with his book open, sees the 21 jersey and has a freudian slip. He says, “Excuse me Mr. Smoot. Will you please sign my yearbook?”
Before I can correct him, Taylor says, “I’d be happy to sign your book. What’s your name?”
“Jackson.”
Taylor says, “Well Jackson., my name is Sean and I’m very pleased to meet you. ”
He signs the book, and Jackson squeals, “Thank you!” , to which Taylor replies, “Thank you for coming out to practice today.”
I was thoroughly impressed with the way Taylor handled the situation. Many players don’t interact with the people they are signing for. They step, sign, step, sign. Sean Taylor took the time to make the moment special.
I know one, very happy 5 year old who agrees.”
Sean Taylor Biography
This is Sean’s Biography as it appeared on his personal webspace http://seantaylor.kcbsportsmarketing.com which is no longer online. It is posted here out of respect, but if anyone has issue with it being posted, please contact us.
Career Highlights
Sean Taylor is regarded as the prototype NFL free safety, blessed with the quickness of a cover cornerback and the size of a strong-side linebacker. He has a rare combination of size, speed, strength and agility and is a hard hitter who also displays solid skills in coverage and in run support. He was named to his first Pro Bowl following the 2006 season.
How Acquired:
Taylor was selected by the Redskins in the first round with the fifth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
2006 Highlights
Taylor was named to his first Pro Bowl following a season in which he led the Redskins’ defense in tackles with 129 (89 solo). He started 16 games and also logged one interception, three forced fumbles and 17 special teams tackles.
• Led the defense in tackles in Week 2 at Dallas with nine, and also had one forced fumble.
• In Week 9 vs. Dallas, he logged nine tackles. He also recovered a blocked field goal by Troy Vincent with six seconds remaining in the game and returned it 30 yards to set up a game-winning field goal.
• In Week 11 at Tampa Bay, he led the defense with 10 tackles (seven solo) and one forced fumble. He also logged two special teams tackles.
• Against Carolina in Week 12, Taylor recorded six tackles, one interception and one special teams tackle. He tackled Panthers’ wide receiver Drew Carter short of a first down on a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter. He collected the interception on the Panthers’ last offensive possession.
• In Week 14 vs. Philadelphia, he recorded five tackles and three special teams tackles.
2005 Highlights
Taylor started 15 games and both of the Redskins’ playoff games, continuing his reputation as one of the league’s hardest hitters. He finished the season with 80 tackles, third-best on the team, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and one sack. He also logged 13 special teams tackles.
• Recorded his first interception of the season in Week 7 vs. San Francisco. He returned it 32 yards.
• In Week 13 vs. St. Louis, he had six tackles (five solo) and one sack of Ryan Fitzpatrick for an 8-yard loss. Taylor also led the Redskins’ special teams units with three tackles.
• In Week 14 at Arizona, Taylor recorded six tackles, one interception of Kurt Warner, a forced fumble and two special teams tackles. He made the key defensive stop of the game when he tackled running back J.J. Arrington on a fourth down play to solidify the victory.
• In Week 17 at Philadelphia, Taylor tied for a team-high 11 tackles (seven solo). He also scooped up a fumble (forced by Phillip Daniels) and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. It was Taylor’s first career TD score.
• In the Redskins’ 17-10 Wild Card win over Tampa Bay on Jan. 7, 2006, Taylor recorded seven tackles (three solo). He also recovered a fumble by teammate Marcus Washington, who moments earlier had recovered a fumble by running back Carnell Williams, and returned it 51 yards for a touchdown, giving the Redskins a 14-0 lead. Taylor was later ejected from the game after an incident with a Buccaneers player.
2004 Highlights
Taylor had a stellar rookie campaign. He started 13 games and recorded 89 tackles (62 solo) with four interceptions, one sack and two forced fumbles.
• Taylor made his first career start in Week 3 vs. Dallas.
• He had his breakthrough game in Week 7 at Chicago, recording six tackles and a sack. His first career interception came in the fourth quarter on the Bears’ final drive and sealed a Redskins win.
• In Week 10 vs. Cincinnati, he recorded a career-high 10 tackles and one interception.
• In Week 11 at Philadelphia, he recorded eight tackles and one interception.
College
2003
• Taylor produced a team-best 13 pass breakups along with seven tackles for losses, one quarterback sack and two quarterback hurries. He was also a force on special teams, having blocked a punt, taken back four punts for a total of 52 yards (13.0 avg.) and returned three kickoffs for 86 yards (28.7 avg.), including a 68-yard return against Florida.
• He returned interceptions for an average of 18.4 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown return at Boston College, a 50-yard scoring runback at Florida State, and a 44-yard scoring runback against Rutgers. His three TD returns of interceptions is a Miami single-season record.
• He picked off two passes in Miami’s impressive 28-14 win over Pittsburgh, playing a key role as the Hurricanes limited All-American receiver Larry Fitzgerald to three receptions for 26 yards.
Awards
• During his final year at Miami, Taylor produced a historic season that culminated with a plethora of honors and awards. He was a named a consensus first-team All-American, the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s best defensive back.
• He led the Big East Conference and ranked first nationally in interceptions per game (0.83) with 10, tying the record for interceptions in a season at Miami. He finished third in total tackles with 77 (57 solos).
• He earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play against Florida State (Oct. 11).
2002
• In 2002, Taylor was a first-team All-BIG EAST selection by the league’s head coaches in his first season as a starter. He finished third on the team in tackles with 85 (53 solos), broke up 15 passes, intercepted four passes, forced one fumble, blocked a kick and returned a punt for a touchdown.
• He led all defensive backs in tackles, interceptions and passes broken up and had a career-high 11 tackles (two solos) and intercepted two passes in the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.
• Taylor was named Big East Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against Pittsburgh.
2001
• In 2001, he was one of just four true freshmen to play for Miami in the 2001 national championship season, carving a niche for himself in Miami’s secondary in nickel and dime coverage packages.
• Taylor played in 10 games, making an impact on special teams, posting 26 tackles, 20 of which were unassisted.
High School
• Taylor played at Gulliver Prep in Miami and was finished as the No. 7 prospect in Dade County by the Miami Herald. He was also rated the nation’s No. 18 skill athlete by SuperPrep and was a SuperPrep All-American.
• He was the No. 23 overall prospect in Florida, regardless of position, by SuperPrep and was an Orlando Sentinel Super Southern Team selection. He was listed as the No. 1 athlete on the Florida Times-Union Super 75 list.
• Taylor accounted for three touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing) in the state title game victory over Marianna. He helped lead Gulliver to the Florida Class 2A State Championship in 2000.
• A star on both sides of the ball in 2000, Taylor rushed for 1,300 yards and a state-record 44 touchdowns. He played running back, defensive back and linebacker at Gulliver.
• He rushed for more than 200 yards twice during Gulliver’s state playoff run and racked up more than 100 tackles during the 2000 season.
Sean Taylor is the son of Pedro Taylor and Donna Junor.
More Information
The Legacy Of No. 21 – Robert Klemko Sports Illustrated 2018