Remembering 21

It’s been one year since Sean Taylor died from the injuries he sustained in the shooting in his Miami home. On this thanksgiving, I want to reflect on the career of my favorite player. (I know I’m a little late – let’s just say I’m on West Coast time).

First Game When did we all learn what Sean Taylor could do? How about his first game, where he recorded 2 interceptions – one essentially in the end zone for the touchdown. Needless to say he became a starter before the regular season began.

Hits, hits, and more hits

Sean Taylor is most well-known for his hitting ability, and for good reason. One of my favorites was his hit on Willie Parker in his rookie year (0:32 in the following video). Defensive coach Gregg Williams: “I recall that play, definitely. I recall that hit,” Williams said. “Sean traveled – we measured it – about 40-42 yards back across the field and was able to cover that ground and in that little time. And the hit was so violent that it blew out [Parker's] cheek pads and his chin strap and knocked his helmet off.” This is one of the better Sean Taylor highlight videos on youtube:

One thing to note is that at 0:55 in the video, Sean Taylor outjumped the one and only Randy Moss. It’s not everyday you see that happen.

Bringing Down Dallas

If there’s one thing that will win the hearts of Redskins fans, it will be a player who brings his all against Dallas. Everybody remembers Brunell’s two bombs to Santana Moss in the final minutes of the 2005 Redskins-Cowboys Monday Night Miracle game, but there still was time left on the clock. As the Cowboys neared field goal range, Patrick Crayton caught a pass and turned up-field past the first-down marker. However, he didn’t get far before meeting Sean Taylor to preserve the victory (1:32 in the video). In 2006, the game came down to a last-second Dallas field goal, which ended up blocked by Troy Vincent. After the ball bounced around for a few seconds, Sean Taylor scooped it up and ran down the field – picking up a facemask penalty in the process (2:00+ in video). All of the sudden the Dallas “last-second” field goal became a Redskins “no seconds” field goal as the game was extended for one untimed down due to penalty – Nick Novak nailed it.

2005 Season Finale vs. Eagles

After a tough mind-season stretch, the Redskins knew they had to win their final 5 games of the 2005 season to have any chance at the playoffs. As it turns out, that they did – until the season finale vs. the Eagles. The Redskins had to make a comeback to lead by 4 with 2:30 left in the 4th quarter. The Eagles had one last shot with the ball until Phillip Daniels forced a fumble which, of course, was recovered by Sean Taylor. As Taylor raced toward the end zone, he leaped from about the 5 yard line for the game-sealing TD. The image of him “leaping into the playoffs” is one of my favorites.

2005 Playoff Game vs. Tampa

Somehow Taylor always ended up with the ball. In the Redskins playoff win over Tampa Bay, he scored another touchdown on a fumble recovery to lead the Skins to victory with one of the lowest offensive outputs ever for the winning team of a playoff game. Just one of many times I could say “we would have lost without Sean Taylor”

Pro Bowl

While most players “take off” the Pro Bowl, Sean Taylor always played hard, and that was obvious in the 2007 Pro Bowl. First, Reggie Wayne decided to pull the classic “alligator body” when he heard footsteps and didn’t even attempt to catch the ball. Then, Sean Taylor’s most well-known hit was on Brian Moorman when he faked a punt and got destroyed by a flying Taylor before reaching the first down.

The Redskins 2008 Pro Bowlers paid tribute to the fourth Redskins Pro Bowler, Sean Taylor, by all wearing the number 21.

Final Season

By Sean Taylor’s fourth year in the league, he was putting up numbers that ranked him as the greatest safety in football. He was tied for the league lead in interceptions when he died (three weeks after he went out due to injury), and on plays where he was targeted he was yielding under 3 yards/attempt. For a guy who routinely lined up 20+ yards behind the line of scrimmage, that is mind-boggling. Against the Packers he handed Brett Favre the NFL interception record by picking off two passes in the game; in one, the announcer yelled the receiver was “WIDE OPEN” as Favre aired it out. Truthfully, he was, because Sean Taylor was across the field on the opposite hash as Favre readied to throw. Fortunately, he could close on the ball like no player I’ve ever seen and came across the field to make the pick.

Of course, he kept on hitting. This hit on Reggie Brown in week 2 is one of the coolest pictures of Sean Taylor. Note that Brown used to be about where that ball is.

The Game After

Before the game against the Buffalo Bills days after Taylor’s death, a tribute video was shown to the fans in Fedex Field. As you can imagine, the cheer that rose up when Taylor said “my favorite part about being a Redskin is playing at home in front of the home crowd” was chilling.

The Redskins set the tone for the game on their first defensive play by starting with 10 men on the field. It was clear that the game was not about winning or losing, but about honoring Taylor.

Tributes

There are no shortage of tributes on youtube (and of course I’ve probably seen them all over the last year), so here are some good ones:

Real professional, awesome tribute

NFL Network tribute with a lot about his life

Miami brothers on the Ravens pay tribute

Closing Out the Season

There is no doubt that Sean Taylor’s death inspired the 2007 Redskins. With so many starters injured or on IR it was impossible for the Redskins could make the playoffs from 5-7. As we know, they won the last four games to make the playoffs, beating Dallas in the season finale by 21 points. For me that’s an unforgettable game, and easily my personal favorite of the games I have attended. Just one more reason I’m proud to be a Redskins fan.

Players routinely tribute Taylor during games, especially Santana Moss who throws up a “21″ sign.

Today

Stories have continued to pop up over the last year, many showing the truth behind Taylor’s life. His belongings have been auctioned off for his daughter Jackie’s trust fund which hopefully has enough money to sustain her. This weekend he will be inducted into the Redskins ring of fame “which honors those who have made distinguished contributions to the team.” In only 4 years nobody would doubt that he did just that.

Thanks Sean, us Redskins fans appreciate all you brought to the team and community. The sky was the limit with your career.