Sean Taylor: We Remember U

Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was born in Miami on April 1, 1983. 

Perhaps by fate, maybe by coincidence, it was later that same year that the University of Miami, behind a quarterback named Kosar and Coach named Schnellenberger, would win their first college football National Championship by beating heavily favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. 

That game, which put the UM program on the big-time college football map, has often been referred to as the "Miracle in Miami".  Sean's Taylor's birth in April of that year could also be seen as a miracle for what this young man would soon bring to this team and its fans in his home town.

Sean would grow up in a tough South Dade neighborhood and later attend Gulliver High School where he would help them win the Class 2A State Title and become the #1 ranked prep player in the County by the Miami Herald.  Sean was so dominant at this level that he played multiple positions including running back, linebacker and defensive back for that team. 

After a spectacular Senior season and a hotly contested recruiting battle for this star athlete, Sean decided to attend the University of Miami.  It would prove to be somewhat ironic that Sean would wind up being one of only four true freshmen to play in 2001 on the Hurricanes fifth National Championship team. 

Even at this early stage, Sean's life had seemingly come full circle.  From being born during the Miracle in Miami season of 1983 to contributing to what was arguably the best UM team ever, the Canes 2001 championship team.  Sean Taylor had already become a hometown hero and would soon become a true legend in the 305.

As Junior at UM in 2003, after beating FSU at Doak Campbell Stadium in the pouring rain seemingly all by himself, Sean would win a slew of college football awards.  After that season, Sean decided it was time to take the next step and would opt for the NFL draft.   

He would be the first of six Canes selected in the first round that year (an NFL record) when he was drafted fifth overall by the Washington Redskins. 

By 2006 there was no doubt that Sean Taylor had become the dominant player at his position and was honored by being selected to the NFL Pro-bowl that year.  Nicknamed "Meast" by teammates for being part man, part beast, Sean would become one of the most feared hitters in the NFL.       

Entering his third year as a Redskin, Sean seemed to be at the top of his game and the NFL talent pool.  By the tenth week of the NFL season he was tied for the league lead in interceptions and was considered an automatic selection for his second straight Pro-Bowl. 

Then came the fateful night of November 26, 2007.

Sean Taylor, while at home asleep with his wife and 18 month-old daughter, awoke to a loud noise in his home.  In an effort to protect his family, Sean confronted the would-be burglars.  He was shot once and would later die from the severe loss of blood as his femoral artery was torn apart by the single bullet. 

That night would end the life of a real Hurricane hero.

Sean Taylor's sudden and tragic death shocked his family, friends, teammates and the Hurricane faithful.  When he died the day following the shooting, we promised to never forget his contributions to the University of Miami. 

This blog article is our simple way of proving that we have not forgotten Sean Taylor, #26, who played at The U and was proud to wear the orange and green. 

Some memories and images never fade.  And even now, if you close your eyes, you can probably still see him, #26 back peddaling into open space, picking off another deep pass, splashing through the rain and the mud at the Doak, weaving down the field behind several blockers, refusing to be denied and diving into the end zone for a pick six. 

That is how we will remember Sean Taylor.

A miracle of a man who at times seemed completely capable of beating the other team all by himself.

Comments

[3-0-CINCO]

Nice one.

[Ocean State Cane]

i'll never forget that game vs FSU... sick... great piece.

[Aqua]

Sean,

I know you can never read this, but know I think about you all the time. I know how much it hurts your family, I will keep them in my thoughts. I talk about you as if you're still here, man I miss you...

[SOUP]

Gracias Cinco! Tienes una camisa de Canespace, no?

[SOUP]

Aqua: I'm not too proud to say:

Tears in my eyes...

[Aqua]

Me too soup...

[canechic]

Good job soup, such a shame, we remember you ST!

[SOUP]

For UM-FSU baseball preview click here:

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2009/04/fsu-series-has-turned-real-heated.html

[SOUP]

Memorial Service:

On December 3, 2007, 4,000 people attended Taylor’s funeral service held at the Pharmed Arena at Florida International University. The entire Redskins organization attended the funeral and took up a section of the arena, traveling the day after a home game against the Buffalo Bills and two days before another home game against the Chicago Bears.

Speakers at the funeral, which was nationally televised, included NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, then-Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs, and current and former professional and collegiate teammates LaVar Arrington, Clinton Portis, and Buck Ortega. The Reverend Jesse Jackson and O. J. Simpson, whose children went to Gulliver Prep, Taylor’s high school, were in attendance. Also attending were numerous prominent University of Miami alumni, including former teammates.

Many of Taylor’s teammates were seen weeping throughout the emotional service. Taylor’s daughter sat in front with her mother and wore a pin with her father’s jersey number "21" on the sleeve of her dress. In one of the more memorable eulogies, Taylor’s uncle Michael Outar told the audience, "I wanted him to play running back or quarterback and score all the touchdowns. The coach gave Sean No. 66 and put him on the line. Before the game he said, 'Uncle Michael, what do I do?' I said, 'Hit the guy with the ball.' And that's what he did, over and over."

Taylor was buried near his Palmetto Bay, Florida home.

[Canez1]

RIP 26

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[SOUP]

National Football League
The NFL recognized the death of Taylor by placing a #21 decal on the back of all NFL players' helmets during all Week 13 games; additionally, a moment of silence was held before each game that week. Players on other teams were given the option to continue wearing the decals in subsequent weeks.

Taylor was posthumously voted starting free safety for the NFC team for the 2008 Pro Bowl and as a second team All-Pro.[34]

[edit] Washington Redskins
The Redskins had the number 21 painted on the field, a parking lot entrance and the Redskins Hall of Fame, all three of which became makeshift memorials. In addition to the black #21 sticker on the back of every NFL helmet, the Redskins wore it as a patch on player uniforms, warm-up shirts and coaching staff jackets, as well as unveiling a banner bearing his name and number. His locker at Redskin Park was encased in plexi-glass and left as Taylor left it. The organization also established a trust fund for Taylor's daughter, Jackie.[35]

The first game after Taylor's death, against the Buffalo Bills on December 2, was hosted at FedEx Field. The game began with the Redskins defense playing with 10 men on the field instead of the usual 11,[36] and saw players signaling to the sky, holding up the numbers two and one on numerous occasions. The team requested everyone arrive 25 minutes before the start of the game at 12:40 p.m. and played a four-minute remembrance video, held a moment of silence, and gave attendees commemorative towels with Taylor's number on them in honor and memory of Taylor.

The Redskins were 5–7 at the time of Taylor's murder. Following his funeral, the team played and won a Thursday night game three days later. Washington went on a 4-game winning streak to close out the season, which included a 27–6 (a 21 point difference, Taylor's jersey number) home victory over division rival Dallas Cowboys in front of a record crowd, to finish 9–7 and secure the final spot in the playoffs. With this win, the team became only the 4th team during the Super Bowl era to qualify for the playoffs following a 5–7 start. The Redskins, however, lost to the Seattle Seahawks by 21 points during the first week of the playoffs.

Teammates Chris Cooley, Chris Samuels and Ethan Albright all wore jersey #21 during the 2008 Pro Bowl.[37] The three jerseys were auctioned off and donated to the Sean Taylor Memorial Trust Fund.

Taylor's number 21 has not been reissued by the team. It is not known at this time if it has been removed from circulation as being "unofficially retired", since the Redskins do not retire jersey numbers.

A year later on November 30, 2008, at the Redskins game against the New York Giants, Clinton Portis ran down the field with a flag that was the team's colors, that had the number 21 on it to honor the 1 year anniversary of Sean Taylor's death.They also painted the middle of the field a 21 instead of a Redskins symbol.

[edit] University of Miami
At the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, a giant banner honoring Taylor and signed by students and alumni was displayed in the student union breezway, and a candlelight vigil was held on the campus in his honor the evening of December 2, 2007. Sean Taylor's funeral was held at nearby Florida International University at the Pharmed Arena on December 3, 2007 instead of at the BankUnited Center on the University of Miami campus, due to a previously scheduled University of Miami event later that week.

[Loco]

Sean Taylor RIP

[Esteban]

i think getting caught with Roids should be a bigger red flag than getting caught with the ganja.

i liked cushing but I'd potentially shy away from him. and definitely from Matthews who built up so much recently.

[Six]

MEAST #21

http://www.wallpapergate.com/data/media/359/21FOREVER.jpg

Cool pic of MEAST #21 on the field

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/6481/10manformationgg7.jpg

MEAST #21 being himself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWFI0PcvaqM

[SOUP]

From www.hurricanesports.com:

The University of Miami's Jack McClinton won the men's three-point championship at the 21st Annual College Slam Dunk and Three Point Championships in Detroit on Thursday evening at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

McClinton finished with 22 points in the final to cruise past the hometown favorite Erik Kangas of Oakland, who tallied 17 points in the final round.

Players shot from five different locations around the perimeter, receiving a point for each three-pointer made - with two-points earned when sinking the final three-point attempt - the "money ball" - from each location.

The two-time All-ACC First Team selection was among eight of the nation's top three-point shooters selected to compete in the competition that aired on ESPN as a prelude to the NCAA Final Four. Joining McClinton was Jimmy Baron (Rhode Island), John Grotberg (Grinnell), Craig Moore (Northwestern), Matt Lawrence (Missouri), Alex Ruoff (West Virginia), Booker Woodfox (Creighton) and Kangas.

McClinton was among three competitors to finish with more than 20 points in the opening round, finishing third with 22 points. The top four scorers - Baron (25), Kangas (23), McClinton and Moore (19) advanced to the semifinals.

[Esteban]

anyone hear this?

Well-informed Miami fan "Monty" writes: Heather, Here's one for ya'. Apparently Miami basketball player Jimmy Graham has been working out with the football team and is expected to play with the football team this upcoming fall. At 6-8 and 240 pounds, he's supposedly working out at the TE position. This is NOT a belated April Fool's joke.

Heather Dinich: Thanks for the tip, Monty, I'll see if I can get a post worked up on it.

[canefan3]

That was floating around the internets yesterday. Its apparently true. Confirmed by some of the insiders.

I don't think there is any harm in trying this. Did Graham ever play football in high school?

[Esteban]

I thought they should have had Ray Hicks trying to be a TE or DE last year. Dude was solid. Graham is too and even bigger and more athletic. Should be fun to see how that goes.

Also, read that Dajleon Farr is getting tried out this spring at DE for Memphis.

[SOUP]

How about C Dwayne Collins? LOL

[Esteban]

which makes me think...we had 3 TEs that were listed at at least 6'4 and 245. All three ran sub 4.6. And we never even tried to exploit mismatches with them. Now all three had serious holes in their game at the time, but still gotta take advantage of what you got especially since we had no WRs at the time.

[DATcane]

I played against Sean while he was at guliver (basketball/football) I thought Keyon Doolings was the best athlete I would ever see up close and play against. That all changed when I got to see ST, dude was a meast for sure! Real cool cat off of the field as well……RIP

[Canez1]

I love BB players at TE.

It is a perfect fit.

You never know....

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[CanesgirlNC]

RIP ST and Bryan Pata and Marlon Barnes and Jerome Brown......and.....

[CanesgirlNC]

For those who don't remember or who weren't around - 86 and I sent the articles and bloggers thoughts and comments on Sean to his family c/o his attorney. Remember cleaning THAT up 86???

[SOUP]

CGNC...yes I do. If you could please try to limit your comments to ST#26 and/or current UM athletic evetns that would be helpful!

I may be deleting some comments soon. Don't take it personally. Thanks...

[solarcane]

we need UNC to split with GT while we mop up FSU

peace

[J]

Solar:

You were the "26th" post - fitting.

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Sean Taylor...one of the Supermen of football and athletics in general. LONG LIVE THE U!

If that BB dude moves to TE that should light a nice fire under Adderly and Gordon. I'm sure he could add 10-15 pounds easily.

[doc in pv]

Canes vs. FSU
Time to knock them out of the park.....Go Canes

[Sarasota 'cane]

I miss that dude! When Sean laid that guy out at the Pro Bowl, I flipped! There's an un-written rule at the Pro Bowl that you do not hurt the opposing players. That was not possible for Sean. His "motor" only had one speed, wide open! What a shame...

Go 'canes!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

P.S. We need to stop labeling the up and coming d-back's as the next ST, or the next Ed Reed! There is no substitute!

Go 'canes!

[SOUP]

From www.hurricanesports.com:

The seventh-ranked University of Miami baseball team will host in-state rival No. 23 Florida State this weekend in a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

The Hurricanes (21-7, 8-4 ACC) are coming off a mid-week win over Barry on Wednesday, while the Seminoles (17-8, 6-4 ACC) - winners of seven straight - just picked up a 3-2 win over No. 19 Florida on Tuesday.

The first two games of the weekend series are slated for 7 p.m. Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday before Sunday's finale's set for 1 p.m. All three games will be televised live by CSS.

David Gutierrez (2-2), the ACC's leader in ERA at 1.51, will make his first Friday start of the season this weekend. Gutierrez, who had been UM's regular Saturday starter through the first half of the season, has kept his opponents to one earned run or less in five of his first six starts. In 35 2/3 innings, Gutierrez has given up just six earned runs while he is holding his opponents to just a .206 batting average against him.

[SOUP]

Sarasota...welcome back to a real blog with no nonsense.

GO CANES, BEAT THE NOLES!

[Esteban]

Cav, the bball dude is already listed at 6'8, 256. Probably more like 6'7, but still. He's got some guns already. Add another 10 of muscle and that's gonna be something serious.

[SOUP]

1982...IS OFF THIS WEEKEND.

Doc U got the call?

[SOUP]

More from the UM web site:

Scott Lawson has been UM's most consistent hitter all season and entering the FSU series, the junior second baseman is leading the team in batting average (.373), runs (28), hits (38), doubles (12) and total bases (58). Over the last five games, Lawson has reached base 73.1 percent of the time he has stepped into the batter's box, going 7-for-14 with two doubles, a homer, a hit-by-pitch and 11 walks.

Jason Hagerty has nearly matched Lawson's offensive production as of late, tallying a team-high 13 RBI in the last five games. Hagerty, who is tied with Lawson for a team-high 23 walks this season, is hitting .302 with five homers, 25 runs and a team-high 29 RBI.

Closer Kyle Bellamy continues to anchor a UM bullpen that was the team's strength through the season's first half. He comes into the weekend with a record of 3-0 and a perfect seven-for-seven in save opportunities. In 20 innings of work this year, Bellamy has allowed just two earned runs and has the staff's best strikeout-to-innings pitched ratio (1.65 K/IP).

[doc in pv]

When I said out of the park....not fsu

three home runs in top of 1st...
fsu 4 miami 0

Miami coming to plate

[doc in pv]

Cane start to chip away...

Fsu 4
Miami 1

lawson sf rbi

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Este, if he's built like that, he could actually become something special. We know he can run and jump and use his body to get position for the ball. If he can learn to block, watch out!! Orson who?? Sheldon who?? haha

And it might be a perfect move for him going forward because I'm assuming he's no Lebron at that height and weight, so the NBA wouldn't be too high on him. The NFL, however, might fall in love with his skills and size.

Rock on, rock, rock on....

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Doc, way to step in...

[doc in pv]

Fsu two run hr by Mcgee

Top of second

FSU 6
Miami 1

Miami coming to bat....

[Chinese Punisher aka Cavaleer]

Sarasota, I don't think anyone literally means these incoming kids will be like ST. To me, ST's like a Bo or a Lawrence Taylor or a Marino..there probably won't be another quite like them.

However, Ray Ray definitely has a similar breadth of skill, size, speed and mentality. Whether he has those intangibles that ST had remains to be seen.

But you can't help make the comparison simply because of RR's skills and because Taylor set such a high standard, like LT or Marino. People used to say, who might be the next Lawrence Taylor for a while. I haven't heard that about Marino or Bo though. haha

[doc in pv]

Martinez hr for Miami....

FSU 6
MIami 2

END of two..

[doc in pv]

RAY RAY will be the big surprise of the season.....
8 int.....

[doc in pv]

Holt two out rbi for Fsu

Fsu 7
Miami 2

Miami coming to bat...in the third

T/O Fsu has a bat boy Taylor #11 who could be 5 years old...... The bat is bigger than him...

[doc in pv]

end of three

FSU 7

MIami 2

[Calvin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JZ0LZsNuZ8

[doc in pv]

top of fourth
FSU no runs...

FSU 7
Miami 2

[Calvin]

AND OF COURSE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgTm8nAeq7Q

[doc in pv]

Martinez just misses his second hr....dead center 400 ft.. Just a foot too short...left on second base...

FSU 7
Miami 2

End of four...