Sean Taylor: So close to glory

Of all the hundreds of NFL players Sean Taylor was the one who is despised the most. I couldn't get over the fact that he got off with only some community service and a few thousand dollar fines after he and his 'buddies' put fifteen bullets into a car of a man they had an altercation with. He was a menace; a rude, crude and somewhat socially unacceptable thug. Looking at him I could not see more than just another tough nosed punk from 'The U.'

I could never come to understand why Redskin fans adored him so much. Take away his big hit threat there wasn't too much more I could see in him. I believed that the best thing that he offered the Redskins was trade potential, I didn't have faith that he would ever become more than a bonecrushing hitter. That was until this year-all of my negativity towards Sean Taylor began to change.

He was a pro-bowl caliber defender surely on his way up to super stardom. Taylor was on his way to join the likes of Darren Sharper, Brian Dawkins, Roy Williams, and Troy Polamulu as one of the leagues premier safeties. His five interceptions (would've been eight if he held on to all the balls Brett Favre threw to him) were tied for tops in the NFC, and that's even after missing two games with a knee injury.

He was more than just a safety, he was a defensive leader and the cornerstone of the Redskins defense for years to come. As many high profile wide recievers have called him "the one player I most fear taking a hit from."

Larry Coker, Taylor's coach at Miami described Taylor as a man who was made to play football. That he wasn't necessarily a safety, he could play running back, linebacker, really any position on the field.

Looking back I now see exactly why Joe Gibbs and Daniel Snyder made him their first overall pick together in 2004.Taylor's work ethic, enthusiasm, extraordinary athletic ability was something special; a rarity in today's world of 'me-first' athletes. There is more to the man then seen by the naked eye, described as "humble" Taylor rarely let people into his inner circle of friends. He wasn't a cocky individual, he was a bashful boy who was meant to play the game, and play the game he did.

Selected 5th overall in the 2004 draft Taylor enjoyed four spectacular seasons. In four short trouble filled years he managed 306 tackels, 248 of them solo. He had 12 interceptions- five this year, 2 sacks and eight forced fumbles. To think he was still developing as both a player and a man.

Many of those close to him talked about how he was maturing as a man. He was a proud father of an 18 month year old girl, he was constant face seen at team church gatherings, and working for several charity organizations.

"It's hard to expect a man to grow up overnight," Portis said. "But ever since he had his child, it was like a new Sean, and everybody around here knew it. He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child."

At this time there are is no suspect of suspects in Taylor's death. It might have been a former 'friend,' it could have been a startled burglar, whoever it was took from us a very special young man. One filled not only with potential to become an elite NFL defender but a man who could've shown us that people change. Instead Taylor's troubled past came back to haunt him.

"It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon," father Pedro Taylor said in a statement on behalf of the family. "Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him."

Taylor's No. 21 will be painted in a grass parking area leading into Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. In addition, No. 21 will also be painted in front of the Redskins Hall of Fame store.

Fans already began a makeshift memorial by laying flowers on a field near the front entrance to the practice facility. Several people paid respects at Taylor's parking space.

Pedro told the team, "Do as Sean would want, win the rest of your games and make the playoffs."
The Redskins are still scheduled to play the Buffalo Bills this Sunday at FedEx field at 1:00.