Sean Taylor was murdered on November 27, 2007. The former University of Miami and Washington Redskins superstar was shot with a single bullet and killed in his own home during a botched burglary attempt.
It took the legal system over six years to convict his killer, Eric Rivera, of second degree murder. Rivera, a cowardly, worthless thug, was finally sentenced on January 23, 2014 to 57.5 years in prison. He had to wait almost seven years for it, but Sean Taylor finally got his justice yesterday.
It is ironic that just a few days ago I had the opportunity to be in South Florida to attend the UM vs Duke basketball game. As is my tradition when I visit the 305 I take time out of my busy schedule to visit the grave sites of two very important people in my life: my mother and Sean Taylor.
Perhaps by chance, or maybe by fate, both of them happen to be buried a few football fields apart at the Woodlawn South cemetery located off of 117th avenue and 112 street in Kendall.
Sean Taylor is a Miami Hurricane football legend and my mother was always a huge fan of UM football. She worked at the UM medical campus for many years and loved watching games on TV, cheering the Hurricanes on to victory and even giving me a "high five" whenever the 'Canes scored.
It is always an emotional moment when I visit the cemetery to pay my respects to both of them. When I do have the chance to visit I have adopted the custom of pouring out some whisky at the grave sites in their honor.
You see my mother liked a sip of Jameson's Irish whiskey from time to time and I always hoped that Sean would also approve.
Even after all of this time, this visit was no different than the rest.
The tears and the whisky flowed.
And now that justice has been done for Sean, I pray that both of them may finally rest in peace.
RIP Sean. What a long time this took. My grandmother is also buried at that cemetery
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 06:06 PM
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 24, 2014 at 05:56 PM
-----------------------------------------------
I am now a big fan of hers.
Posted by: 30CINCO | January 24, 2014 at 06:18 PM
TGIF Party People!!!!
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 06:18 PM
86 you need to find someone else to ride, that is getting old and boring.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 05:02 PM
Now UMike, don't make me out to be a liar?
I said U were a fighter.
I said U were resilient.
I said U would never put down your computer and go home.
Don't do it man, please don't do it or I'll have U sleeping with the alligators in the Wekiva River! LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 06:29 PM
Now about the article and Sean Taylor...
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 06:33 PM
I posted the ST #26 head stone marker on Twitter. It got retweeted 20 times so far.
RIP ST #26
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 06:45 PM
http://hurricanesports.marquee.by/celebs-support-caneshoops/
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 24, 2014 at 06:45 PM
Greatest athlete in Canes history.
Could have been an all pro at 3-4 different positions.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 06:51 PM
I was very touched by the article SOUP.Sean Taylor, your mother and CGNC grandmother at the same place...You all RIP.
Posted by: Montreal-Cane | January 24, 2014 at 06:53 PM
Vance Bedford @CoachBedfordUT 26m
We are working on the 2014 class. 2015 class be patient.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 06:55 PM
Thanks Montreal. How are your Habs doing this year?
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 06:57 PM
For the newer bloggers - when Sean died, everyone posted their comments. 86 cleaned them up and I got in touch with Dick Sharpstein, an attorney. We printed out the comments and sent them to him to give to the Taylor family.
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 06:59 PM
Cam Underwood @UnderwoodSports 12m
Valentine's mom has gushing statements about LSU? At least 2 of Valentine's Coaches going with him to LSU visit this weekend?
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 07:01 PM
Valentine is all but gone. Hope not cuz he is by far my favorite recruit.
Posted by: 4-Real | January 24, 2014 at 07:11 PM
We printed out the comments and sent them to him to give to the Taylor family.
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 06:59 PM
That was CGNC's idea and doing. Good move there. The Taylor family later sent their appreciation as well.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 07:11 PM
86 - LOL it was a joint effort :-D And it was the right thing to do
Posted by: CGNC | January 24, 2014 at 07:16 PM
Really hope we don't loose TV.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 24, 2014 at 07:25 PM
OhioCane and UMike - I appreciate your contributions to this site. Thank you.
Soup - Thanks for reflecting on Sean Taylor today. He was a class act.
Posted by: NY Trooper | January 24, 2014 at 07:32 PM
Valentine will be like Patrick Johnson/Williams/Peterson (who ever he was). Goes to LSU and his coaches come back with new coaching positions!
Posted by: HawaiiCane | January 24, 2014 at 07:35 PM
Richard Yeargin just De committed from Notre dame
Posted by: laquinton | January 24, 2014 at 09:17 PM
Thanks for reflecting on Sean Taylor today. He was a class act.
Posted by: NY Trooper | January 24, 2014 at 07:32 PM
It is what we do.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 09:18 PM
RIP 26
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ru2603cYw&noredirect=1
Posted by: 30CINCO | January 24, 2014 at 09:32 PM
I think Yeargin had offers from UF and FSU, along with at least 2 dozen other schools, but not from the U unless something has changed as of late. He had a visit to Clemson 2 months ago.
2/5 will answer almost all of our questions. Yawn!
Posted by: jcane | January 24, 2014 at 09:46 PM
RIP Sean Michael Taylor
RIP Soup's Mama
Morris was said to not be taking the week serious at the Senior Bowl...... sound familiar?
Posted by: Hassan | January 24, 2014 at 09:47 PM
RIP Sean Michael Taylor
RIP Soup's Mama
Posted by: Hassan | January 24, 2014 at 09:47 PM
AMEN
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 09:51 PM
Good article SOUP, always get a catch in my throat when you write about Sean and your Mom!
GOD BLESS!!!
GO CANES!!!
Posted by: NativeCane | January 24, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Happy Birthday to Apple's Mac…….30 years ago today.
Posted by: raizecane | January 24, 2014 at 11:38 PM
I see where The Herb was zapped again but that's okay, the truth will set you free. I can't imagine how positive I'll be if we lose The Tine!
Posted by: herbieibis | January 24, 2014 at 11:54 PM
I also see where LSU has no DT's Committed, at this time.
Posted by: herbieibis | January 25, 2014 at 12:08 AM
"Having the opportunity to play for the Jaguars, that would be amazing," Morris told Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union on Tuesday. "I love Coach Fisch and the offense he’s in. He helped me grow as a quarterback. It’s a wonderful offense."
I do not hear about Cooley
Posted by: Hassan | January 25, 2014 at 04:42 AM
been waiting for new blog but our dog wants to go out so will came back later
Fran in Debary
Posted by: fran | January 25, 2014 at 06:12 AM
Because they ARE! There is a TON of evidence that shows it. To argue against it is just to argue for the sake of it. It gets old and boring: STOP IT!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 04:11 PM
SOUP, this is my last post on the subject. I asked O_C to show me evidence...to show me these "quotes of entitlement" from these "entitled SF athletes"...and He shows me "some fan's opinions on Bruce's comments" LMAO!
And when you offer 2 DBs from NJ, before the #3 CB for the C/O 2015 in YOUR OWN FRONT YARD!, you don't expect that kid to be honest when asked about UM... NO WONDER! we struck out on DBs for 2014!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 25, 2014 at 06:50 AM
At the end of the day NJ has ballers also, so it is what it is, some these kids are divas (not all, but some) very few understand it's a business and that the schools have to do what's best for their squad.
I just wanna see the CANES win baby so idc...
Posted by: UpNorthCane | January 24, 2014 at 03:06 PM
UNC...NO!...DOUBT!
I don't have a problem with NJ kids. I've always thought that theirs untapped potential in the NY/NJ area.
Jay-Z said in a song..."And watch hoop dreams deflate, like a true fiends weight." Well, you take those kids with "deflated hoop dreams", you can make a pretty good football player out of most of em', I think. From what I hear, they don't really invest in the football infrastructure up that way...sad if it's true.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 25, 2014 at 07:22 AM
So let me get this straight..... When Shannon refused 2 kiss up 2 these same sofla divas HE was burning bridges correct?
Posted by: 4-Real | January 25, 2014 at 07:38 AM
Shannon completely ignored certain schools. That's where the beef was with him. There were a ton of coaches who said his staff wouldn't come by, ever.
The funny thing about Bethel and his whole decommitment is he would never have gotten a look from Shannon. He didn't like small db's.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 25, 2014 at 08:05 AM
People are quick to say coaches hated Shannon but they can never give names. On the flipside I see coaches talk Golden " UP" all the time, yet they send their kids elsewhere. See Dwyer's Jack Daniels.
Posted by: 4-Real | January 25, 2014 at 08:15 AM
Anybody remembers #26 hit on Jason Whitten up in Knoxville? Classic!
Posted by: 4-Real | January 25, 2014 at 08:27 AM
Good article SOUP, always get a catch in my throat when you write about Sean and your Mom!
Posted by: NativeCane | January 24, 2014 at 11:19 PM
Me too, me too.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 08:39 AM
And when you offer 2 DBs from NJ, before the #3 CB for the C/O 2015 in YOUR OWN FRONT YARD!, you don't expect that kid to be honest when asked about UM.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 25, 2014 at 06:50 AM
Let me count the ways...
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 08:40 AM
been waiting for new blog but our dog wants to go out so will came back later
Fran in Debary
Posted by: fran | January 25, 2014 at 06:12 AM
Now THAT is funny! Well done Fran, well done.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 08:40 AM
"Shannon completely ignored certain schools. That's where the beef was with him. There were a ton of coaches who said his staff wouldn't come by, ever."
Yeah?
I wonder what happened to Finnie...hmmmmmmm.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 25, 2014 at 08:41 AM
Rock...I asked U nicely to please stop it.
PLEASE!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 08:42 AM
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/sports/college-football/aspiring-rapper-chad-thomas-hopes-his-hits-take-um/nc2dx/
I didn't know Chad Thomas & Matthew are brothers
Posted by: TJL | January 25, 2014 at 09:16 AM
126 retweets and 76 favorites for #26's pic on twitter
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM
What point are you making CaneRock?
Finnie did not have an offer from Shannon.
He was ready to get on a plane to another school when golden offered him late.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 25, 2014 at 10:03 AM
What point are you making CaneRock?
Posted by: Go Canes | January 25, 2014 at 10:03 AM
I just read the last half-page, and I seriously don't know what you guys are arguing about.
Posted by: dj moonbat | January 25, 2014 at 10:16 AM
I guess he was making a counterpoint to the fact Shannon didn't like small dbs.
Then used a kid he didn't offer to dispute it.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 25, 2014 at 10:19 AM
126 retweets and 76 favorites for #26's pic on twitter
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 25, 2014 at 10:00 AM
NICE!
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 10:37 AM
Go Canes...don't start it up again. Let it go, carry on and be calm.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 25, 2014 at 10:38 AM
"I guess he was making a counterpoint to the fact Shannon didn't like small dbs."
No, I was making a counterpoint, to the fact that Finnie had a JUVIE RECORD...maybe that's why Shannon didn't recruit Him. NOT saying that Shannon recruited choir boys (one of His recruits raped a co-ed), but it was known in quite a few circles, that Shannon had intel on the local kids.
And where did you read or hear that Shannon didn't like small DBs...He recruited Greg Reid & Lamarcus Joyner HARD!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 25, 2014 at 10:41 AM