Nine years ago today, Washington safety Sean Taylor died at the age of 24. Taylor, in his fourth NFL season, had been shot by intruders at his Miami home, where Taylor and his girlfriend and young daughter were sleeping.
A total of five defendants pleaded guilty in connection with the murder. The shooter received a 60-year prison term; the mastermind of the burglary gone horribly wrong was put in prison for the rest of his life.
Tributes to Taylor have flooded social media, including this message from Washington rookie Su’a Cravens: “You’re the reason I wear 36. You’re a reason why 21 is my favorite number. And you’re the reason why I play every play like my last.”
Taylor wore No. 36 when his NFL career started, but swtiched to 21 after cornerback Fred Smoot left via free agency.
Instantly one of the best defensive backs in the NFL, Taylor may have been destined for the Hall of Fame -- and he quite possibly would still be playing. We extend our condolences to Taylor’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches, all of whom surely will be having a hard time on the anniversary of his passing.
