Sean Taylor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor playing for the Washington Redskins in 2005
No. 36, 21
Position:	Safety
Personal information
Born:	(1983-04-01)April 1, 1983 Florida City, Florida, U.S.
Died:	November 27, 2007(2007-11-27) (aged 24) Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:	231 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:	Gulliver Prep (Pinecrest, Florida)
College:	Miami (FL) (2001–2003)
NFL Draft:	2004 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
Washington Redskins (2004)
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Pro (2007) 2x Pro Bowl (2006, 2007) PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004) Washington Commanders 90 Greatest Washington Commanders Ring of Fame Washington Commanders No. 21 retired BCS national champion (2001) Jack Tatum Trophy (2003) Big East Defensive Player of the Year (2003) Unanimous All-American (2003) First-team All-Big East (2003) Second-team All-Big East (2002)
Career NFL statistics
Tackles: 305 Interceptions: 12 Pass deflections: 43
Player stats at PFR

Sean Michael Maurice Taylor (born April 1, 1983 – died November 27, 2007) was an American football player. He was a safety for the Washington Redskins in the National Football League (NFL). Sean was chosen fifth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the Redskins. He played for four seasons until his sad passing in 2007.

As a high school player, Sean led his team, Gulliver Prep, to a Florida state championship. He even set a state record for the most touchdowns in a single season. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. There, he was part of their 2001 BCS National Championship team and won the Jack Tatum Trophy. With the Redskins, he was known as a very strong player and was nicknamed "Meast". This nickname came from the idea of him being "half man, half beast." He was chosen for the Pro Bowl once in 2006.

During the 2007 season, Sean was shot at his home in Miami and passed away the next day. After his death, he was chosen for a second Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors. Sean Taylor was added to Washington's Ring of Fame in 2008.

Early Life and High School Achievements

Sean Taylor was born in Florida City, Florida, on April 1, 1983. He spent his early years with his great-grandmother in Homestead, Florida. Later, when he was 11, he moved to live with his father. He grew up in a neighborhood in Miami.

Sean played high school football in Pinecrest, near Miami. He started his high school football career at Miami Killian High School. Then, he moved to Gulliver Preparatory School, where he was a star in three sports: football, track, and basketball. In 2000, he helped Gulliver win the Florida Class 2A State Championship. His team had a great record of 14 wins and only 1 loss.

Football and Track Star

During that championship season, Sean was amazing on both offense and defense. He played running back, defensive back, and linebacker. He ran for 1,400 yards and scored a state-record 44 touchdowns. In two playoff games, he rushed for over 200 yards. He also made more than 100 tackles that season. In the state title game, he scored three touchdowns.

In track and field, Sean was also very fast. He won the state 2A 100-meter dash in 2000. He was also one of the best 400-meter dash runners in the state.

Top Prospect and Honors

Sean was considered the best young player in Miami-Dade County by the Miami Herald. He was also ranked the number one skill athlete in the nation by Super Prep. Many other sports publications also rated him as a top player in Florida and the South.

In 2007, he was named to the Florida High School Athletic Association's All-Century Team. This team chose the Top 33 players in the 100-year history of high school football in Florida. After his death, Gulliver Prep honored Sean with a plaque in the school's cafeteria. On September 5, 2009, the football field at Gulliver Prep was renamed Sean Taylor Memorial Field.

College Football Career

Sean Taylor was recruited to play for the Miami Hurricanes football team at the University of Miami. He also competed for the Hurricanes track and field team, running in the 100-meter and 200-meter races.

2001 Season: National Champion

As one of only four new players on the 2001 Miami Hurricanes football team, Sean quickly made an impact. He played in Miami's defense. The Hurricanes won the national championship in 2001. This team is now considered one of the best in the history of college football.

2002 Season: First as a Starter

In 2002, Sean became a starter for the first time. He was chosen for the second-team All-Big East. He finished third on his team in tackles with 85. He also broke up 15 passes and intercepted 4 passes. He made a big play in the National Championship game against Ohio State.

2003 Season: Award-Winning Year

Sean had an amazing final year at Miami in 2003. He was named a unanimous first-team All-American. He also won the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in the nation. He led the Big East Conference and the whole country with 10 interceptions. This tied a record for interceptions in a season for the Hurricanes. Sean also had the most tackles on his team with 77. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns, which is a Miami single-season record.

College Statistics

Professional Football Career

After his successful 2003 college season, Sean Taylor decided to enter the 2004 NFL draft.

Joining the Washington Redskins

In the 2004 NFL draft, the Washington Redskins chose Sean Taylor in the first round. He was the fifth player picked overall. He was one of six players from the University of Miami chosen in the first round that year, which was a record!

2004 Season: Rookie Year

On July 27, 2004, the Washington Redskins signed Sean Taylor to a six-year contract. He quickly became a starter for the team. In Week 3, he made his first start and had four tackles. On October 18, 2004, Sean made his first career interception and sack against the Chicago Bears. He ended his first season in 2004 with 76 tackles, nine pass deflections, four interceptions, and a sack.

2005 Season: Changing Numbers

Sean Taylor before a Redskins' game against the Arizona Cardinals in December 2005

Before the 2005 season, Sean changed his jersey number from No. 36 to No. 21. He started the season as the main free safety. He finished the 2005 season with 70 tackles, a career-high ten pass deflections, and two interceptions.

The Washington Redskins made it to the playoffs that year. Sean started in his first playoff game on January 7, 2006. He had seven tackles and recovered a fumble. The Redskins won that game.

2006 Season: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2006, Sean continued as the starting free safety. On October 15, 2006, he had a season-high ten tackles. In Week 9, he made a big play by returning a blocked field goal attempt, which helped the Redskins win the game with a last-second field goal. On November 26, 2006, Sean made a key interception that sealed the Redskins' victory. He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his great performance. He finished the 2006 season with a career-high 111 tackles and three forced fumbles.

Sean's strong play earned him his first 2007 Pro Bowl selection. He was chosen as an alternate but got to play when another player was injured. During the Pro Bowl, Sean made a very memorable hit on the Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman.

2007 Season: A Personal Turnaround

Before the 2007 season, Sports Illustrated called Sean Taylor the hardest-hitting player in the NFL. Teammates noticed a positive change in Sean's life, especially because of his daughter.

At the time of his passing, Sean was tied for the most interceptions in the National Football Conference with 5. He had also made 42 tackles.

On December 18, 2007, after his death, Sean was chosen for his second Pro Bowl. He was the first player in NFL history to be elected to the Pro Bowl after passing away. During the Pro Bowl, Redskins players wore his number 21 to honor him.

NFL Career Statistics

Sean Taylor's Passing and Remembrance

On November 26, 2007, Sean Taylor was shot at his home. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, but sadly passed away the next day, November 27, 2007, at 24 years old.

His funeral was held in Miami on December 3, 2007.

Honoring Sean's Memory

The NFL honored Sean's passing by putting a No. 21 sticker on the back of all NFL players' helmets during Week 13 games. A moment of silence was also held before each game that week.

Sean was chosen for the 2008 Pro Bowl as a starting free safety after his death. He was also voted a second-team All-Pro.

The Redskins painted the number 21 on their field and at a parking lot entrance. His locker at Redskins Park was preserved in Plexiglas exactly as he left it. The team also created a trust fund for his daughter, Jackie.

The first Redskins game after Sean's death was on December 2, 2007. The Redskins defense started the game with only 10 players on the field instead of the usual 11, to honor him. Players often pointed to the sky, holding up the numbers two and one. The team played a remembrance video and gave fans commemorative towels with his number.

Teammates Chris Cooley, Chris Samuels, and Ethan Albright all wore jerseys with No. 21 during the 2008 Pro Bowl. These jerseys were later sold to raise money for the Sean Taylor Memorial Trust Fund.

In October 2021, his jersey number 21 was officially retired by the team. He was only the third player in the team's history to receive this honor. A road leading to the stadium was also renamed Sean Taylor Road.

Sean Taylor's Lasting Legacy

Sean Taylor's family at a Washington Redskins ceremony in October 2021, where his jersey number 21 was retired.

Sean Taylor was added to the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame on November 30, 2008, after his passing. He was the 43rd member to receive this honor.

Many players have honored Sean by wearing his jersey numbers. In college, he wore No. 26. As a rookie in the NFL, he wore No. 36, then switched to No. 21 for the rest of his career. His former teammate, Ryan Clark, wore No. 21 in practice to honor Sean when he returned to the Redskins. Other players, like Su'a Cravens, D. J. Swearinger, and Landon Collins, have also worn his numbers to pay tribute to him.

In September 2020, a road leading to Commanders Field was renamed Sean Taylor Road in his memory. On October 17, 2021, the Washington team officially retired Sean Taylor's number 21. His family was there for the special ceremony.

On November 27, 2022, the Washington Commanders revealed a special display honoring Sean Taylor at FedExField.

Images for kids

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  Sean Taylor playing for the Washington Redskins in 2005

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  Sean Taylor before a Redskins' game against the Arizona Cardinals in December 2005

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  Sean Taylor's family at a Washington Redskins ceremony in October 2021, where his jersey number 21 was retired.

See also

In Spanish: Sean Taylor para niños