Sean Taylor, star safety for the Washington Redskins, died Tuesday of a gunshot wound inflicted by an intruder in his Florida home.He was 24 years old.
For the record, Taylor was one of my all-time favorite NFL players. There are only a handful of athletes whose abilities leave me in awe. One of them was Sean Taylor—a modern-day Jack Tatum with the speed of Redskin great Darrell Green.
I first took notice of Taylor when he played for Miami in the National Championship Game against my Ohio State Buckeyes. He had two picks that night, and totally shut down the middle of the field.
In a game flush with future first-round draft picks, Taylor was the best of the bunch.
As a fan, I was devastated to learn Monday morning that Taylor had been shot. Sadly, I can't say I was totally surprised.
The stories of Taylor's wild youth in Miami—threatening people with guns, picking up a DUI charge—painted a picture of man who wasn't as mature as his body suggested.
To his credit, Taylor seemed to go through a transformation in recent years—particularly after the birth of his daughter Jackie. He was beginning to grow—not just as a player, but as a man.
It's the kind of story I can relate to.
I was never an All-American college football player, but I was a highly-regarded soccer player coming out of high school—and had a lot at stake during my senior year of high school.
I was also a class-A knucklehead.
I've had four teammates die prematurely; I have friends I consider brothers in prison. It took me a long time to finally grow up. That's why you'll often hear me defend those in need of second chances.
I'm living proof that people really can turn their lives around. Unfortunately, it’s probable (and I don’t mean to speculate) that Taylor couldn't escape the past he was trying so hard to distance himself from.
I read a great piece in SI recently on Michael Vick and his entourage, and why it's so hard to leave the neighborhood homies you grew up with. One of the more interesting points the author made is that promising young athletes are sheltered from illegal activities by local hustlers—with the understanding that it'll be payback time once they make it big.
As a side note, you see the same phenomenon in hip-hop. I grew up during what's referred to as the golden age of hip-hop—and every time one of my favorite rappers blew up, he had to take care of two or three guys in his crew.
Nas had the “Bravehearts,” Jay-Z put Beanie Siegel on, and, more recently, Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy formed a group with his less talented hangers-on—“USDA.”
But back to the point. The timing of Taylor’s homicide couldn’t have been worse. Here was a young man who was finally beginning to turn his life around when the streets may have caught up with him.
Like Kane in the movie Menace II Society
10 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
scott serles about 1 year ago
Please change the name to Scott Serles, not Series as it says in the teaser.
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Ron Glover about 1 year ago
Well done piece, it's one thing to be able to relate firsthand to a situation rather than make a blind judgment. For that you should be commended.
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John Marchetti about 1 year ago
Great article.
My only question to Sean Taylor, if he ya know, could answer questions, would be. If you were living your life in fear as has been reported, why did he continue to live in Miami?
Not that it wouldn't be difficult to track him down, but why not live in D.C? Or find somewhere else to live? Have personal security, instead of a machete.
It's a shame when anyone dies prematurely. R.I.P Sean.
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scott serles about 1 year ago
Jack,
I think that both you and I would both leave Miami if we felt threatened at all, or at least carry a gun with us at all times. But for someone like Taylor, leaving would probably be seen as a sign of weakness, it probably would of saved his life, but to the streets and the people he grew up around he would be no better than a snitch to them in their eyes.
I tried to relate to Taylor the best I could through all my experiences but I don't think any of us know what it's like growing up in that environment.
"I ain't never ran from a man/and I not about to pick today and start running"
Playaz Circle featuring Lil Wayne
"Duffel Bag Boy"
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scott serles about 1 year ago
Jack,
I think that both you and I would both leave Miami if we felt threatened at all, or at least carry a gun with us at all times. But for someone like Taylor, leaving would probably be seen as a sign of weakness, it probably would of saved his life, but to the streets and the people he grew up around he would be no better than a snitch to them in their eyes.
I tried to relate to Taylor the best I could through all my experiences but I don't think any of us know what it's like growing up in that environment.
"I ain't never ran from a man/and I not about to pick today and start running"
Playaz Circle featuring Lil Wayne
"Duffel Bag Boy"
Edit Comment Cancel
scott serles about 1 year ago
Jack,
I think that both you and I would both leave Miami if we felt threatened at all, or at least carry a gun with us at all times. But for someone like Taylor, leaving would probably be seen as a sign of weakness, it probably would of saved his life, but to the streets and the people he grew up around he would be no better than a snitch to them in their eyes.
I tried to relate to Taylor the best I could through all my experiences but I don't think any of us know what it's like growing up in that environment.
"I ain't never ran from a man/and I not about to pick today and start running"
Playaz Circle featuring Lil Wayne
"Duffel Bag Boy"
Edit Comment Cancel
akmahd muhammed about 1 year ago
well asshole, the killers DONT have any connection to him, and so therefore you sound stupid when you connect his death to his troubled past, so how about giving the guy a break, because he was trying to live a normal life and then he dies and assholes like you say things about him even after he dies
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
well asshole, the killers DONT have any connection to him, and so therefore you sound stupid when you connect his death to his troubled past, so how about giving the guy a break, because he was trying to live a normal life and then he dies and assholes like you say things about him even after he dies
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
well asshole, the killers DONT have any connection to him, and so therefore you sound stupid when you connect his death to his troubled past, so how about giving the guy a break, because he was trying to live a normal life and then he dies and assholes like you say things about him even after he dies
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scott serles about 1 year ago
You're right you are a coward who apparently has trouble understanding english. Get a life- loser.
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