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.
I'm ELITE!...I'm FIRST!...No where's MY OFFER!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 01:17 PM
RIP, SeanT
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:18 PM
Ohio, Im sure it happens everywhere. "Miami guys" are known for putting in the work and having that chip, that is what separates them from other athletes around the country.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 01:07 PM
----------------------------------------
Don't get it twisted, I am NOT trying to compare their talent, as it's well known that it's some of the best there is.
That said, it's not like every recruit down there is the best in the country. Mcfadden is the #3 CB in the country. Minkah Fitzpatrick is ahead of him (aka better than). U think he's going around crying about not getting certain offers? No, he's not. I follow his recruitment since I want him in a Canes uni. Same thing with Kevin Tolliver and he's up in Jacksonville.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:15 PM
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:18 PM
GREATEST EVER!!!
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 01:18 PM
30.. some good points. The offer game is silly, but lets be real colleges NEED these kids to succeed. Kids do just wanna post offers they got, but how many times have you heard a kid staying with a school who was on him first like Kaaya? I agree its silly, but since we need these kids and colleges need these kids, they have to go along with the silliness. Not every kid we sign is a kid who "Loves The U"... they might after recruiting him and his visits etc.
I agree its silly, but its part of the recruiting game and programs like FSU, WVU, OSU etc are taking advantage and getting on South Florida kids early.
Miami did a great job on this class of identifying kids early, and I am happy about that improvement, but got to play the offer game to keep up imo
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 01:19 PM
And Ohio_Cane, I KNOW! you're not bashing SF athletes...being a jerk is NOT! exclusive to SFLA. What about THIS CLOWN! we had on a campus a few years ago.
http://miami.scout.com/a.z?s=13&p=8&c=1&nid=4118441
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 01:19 PM
Sean Taylor made the word "beast" seem tame.
Posted by: LB | January 24, 2014 at 01:22 PM
I never implied that it's exclusive to SFLA. I said it's more prevalent (happens more often)
And yes, Anderson was an idiot who was mad about playing time. He wasn't crying about not getting offered soon enough (1 year in advance) though, IIRC.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:22 PM
I leave the PC for just a moment and bam.....new blog is up.
Posted by: raizecane | January 24, 2014 at 01:24 PM
Worrying about 2015/2016 class when 2014 is not even done, waste of time IMO.
Posted by: 30CINCO | January 24, 2014 at 01:11 PM
There IT is right there.
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:25 PM
I hear ya UMike. There is a big difference with a kid like Kaaya who is under the radar. If someone comes early and shows interest, tells you they see all the potential in you, that makes a difference. You can be loyal to that cause. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt.
To be a good to great player and expect things to be given to you, THEN cry about it when things don't happen the way you want is different. You want the offer, work harder.
Posted by: 30CINCO | January 24, 2014 at 01:26 PM
I leave the PC for just a moment and bam.....new blog is up.
Posted by: raizecane | January 24, 2014 at 01:24 PM
That will teach U! Why would U ever leave your compter anyway? LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:27 PM
RIP #26
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:28 PM
All that said, I still believe McFadden is overrated. Good player for sure, but not top 3 in his class, IMO.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:29 PM
UMike you couldn't be more off. I think Ariz is a kid because he's a kid.
Nothing that happens with valentine will change that.
I want him here as bad as anyone, but if he doesn't choose UM, at the end of the day, it won't matter to me.
I'll still be there every game, rooting on the guys who did choose us.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 01:42 PM
rats...out of the top ten...
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 24, 2014 at 01:42 PM
@CoachColey: Calm before the STORM!!!
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 01:44 PM
I'll still be there every game, rooting on the guys who did choose us.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 24, 2014 at 01:42 PM
Yeah but why didn't U come meet me at The Titanic the other night? U were nowhere to be found? LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:45 PM
RIP ST & one of the most amazing games I ever was the rain game vs FSWho where he just took EVERYTHING OVA
F' the Turds!
GO CANES!!!
Posted by: Keoki | January 24, 2014 at 01:51 PM
Ohio.. was that you Tweeted on the Canespace account about SFLA football players being entitled? If so, maybe you should do it from your personal account lol
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:03 PM
UMike Said: Unproven QB's Don't Win Championships, followed up by the Canes won't beat FSWho because our D is bad and we will have an Unproven QB...
BangBang....UMike shoots himself in the foot the team he believes we Will lose to won a championship with (drumroll) an Unproven QB
UMike Said: He gets no credit for the truth he brings, only hate well sir with comments like that above what do U expect? U are all over the place and accept no responsibility for your wayward ways...I have said and will say again I respect your blogging as you bring alot to the table but sorry Dude U Are Wrong...and it happens.. Roll Your Sleeves Up Admit Your Wrongs and Blog On..
RCCF12%....
Posted by: RCCF | January 24, 2014 at 02:03 PM
ANYWAYS!, all that jibba-jabba is coming from the U-School and AH kids...the Broward kids. Besides Luke, I don't think I've heard a peep from the Dade kids.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:03 PM
ST is the Greatest and Im actually happy Clint Hurtt was hired by the BEARS...CANES in Chicago is Always a good thing BearDown BearDown!!
RCCF
Posted by: RCCF | January 24, 2014 at 02:04 PM
I leave the PC for just a moment and bam.....new blog is up.
Posted by: raizecane | January 24, 2014 at 01:24 PM
That will teach U! Why would U ever leave your compter anyway? LOL
Posted by: 86Cane | January 24, 2014 at 01:27 PM
There are only 2 reasons I can think of...
Posted by: KYcane | January 24, 2014 at 02:07 PM
RCCF... get off my nuts dude... its pathetic... I NEVER once said an unproven QB cant win a championship, I only said we will have an unproven QB next year. I also never said we would lose to FSU, I said we have D'No returning and they have the best QB in the nation which is why people think we would lose. Get your facts straight homie. Did you wake up thinking of me or something?
Moving on...
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:08 PM
26th?
Posted by: SinisterCane | January 24, 2014 at 02:09 PM
Ohio.. was that you Tweeted on the Canespace account about SFLA football players being entitled? If so, maybe you should do it from your personal account lol
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:03 PM
-----------------------------------
Yes. What's the problem? Am I lying?
86, you're more than welcome to delete it if U don't like it.
It says:
Canespace @86Cane 1h
The entitlement with SFLA football players is second to none. Wow. #BeGreatful #BeHumble
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:13 PM
Ohio, its not about lying... that us YOUR opinion...not ours.. its all good... not a big deal, just saying not all of us feel that way lol... People on here preach to watch what we say cause recruits read, but we take a shot at them on Twitter lol
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:15 PM
Like I said, if 86 doesn't like it, he's more than welcome to delete it. I don't have a problem with it either way.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:19 PM
I hope not. If so, maybe He needs a geography lesson. From the Atlantic to the Gulf, SFLA is big as hell. If it was Him, He needs to be careful who He lumps in with "entitled SFLA athletes".
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:15 PM
-----------------------------------------
Feel free to educate me, oh wise one.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:20 PM
Ohio.. I do think that is an issue everywhere, we just hear of it more in Florida because we keep up with Florida recruiting. Entitled is a label I have never heard anyone put on Miami kids... imo...just cause 1 or 2 guys here and there want an offer doesnt mean SFLA football players are entitled. But its all good, was just saying.. no biggie.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:21 PM
Ohio... have you ever spent time in Miami?
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:22 PM
I don't have to educate you, obviously there's a buncha "good lil' boys" runnin' around Ohio.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:22 PM
UMike, I follow all the real good ones. Not just from SFLA. Like I said at least twice, I'm not saying it's just SFLA, but it's worse there than anywhere else.
CR, I don't even know what to say to U. If U don't have to educate me, maybe try it on yourself. You clearly haven't read one thing I've said and comprehended it. Let me break it down like this, point by point:
- SFLA has the most entitled kids in America when it comes to getting offers from colleges
- Most, if not all places with elite athletes have some, but not nearly as many as SFLA
"good lil boys"? What are U even talking about? You're acting like I'm saying their all criminals
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:27 PM
My experiences in Miami (around liberty city), I did not notice a lot of entitlement. I saw a lot of kids and adults trying to live.
I notice it more in middle class kids. But, I believe this is an American issue, not a 305 issue.
2 cents.
Posted by: trianglecane | January 24, 2014 at 02:27 PM
- SFLA has the most entitled kids in America when it comes to getting offers from colleges
- Most, if not all places with elite athletes have some, but not nearly as many as SFLA
"good lil boys"? What are U even talking about? You're acting like I'm saying their all criminals
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:27 PM
1. PROVE IT!
2. PROVE IT!
3. PROVE IT!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:32 PM
Relax people relax it was just a tweet.. Lets move on.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | January 24, 2014 at 02:36 PM
1. PROVE IT!
2. PROVE IT!
3. PROVE IT!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:32 PM
--------------------------------------
1-2: Sam Bruce: "they took forever to offer you, and then they be wondering why nobody wanna go there.
Sam Bruce: Miami be trying the big time SoFlo athletes!
I'm not going back and looking for Quincy, Kermit, etc. If U haven't seen em, go find em.
3: Lol, wut?
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:38 PM
Ohio.. how can you say
"SFLA has the most entitled kids in America when it comes to getting offers from colleges"
Just because there has been 1-3 kids complain over a couple years? Do you cover recruiting in Texas, Alabama, California, Up North, Mid West etc? No... just because you follow some of the top recruits, doesnt mean you follow every recruit in whole areas. So to make that statement as if it is a fact, is wrong.
Anyone who has every spent time in Miami will tell you those kids dame sure aint entitled lol.. They may be cocky, but you have to when your from there.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:40 PM
Kermit didnt bash Miami or complain, we were on him early and he was a commit.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:41 PM
And I respect the HSFB that's played in Ohio. Woody Hayes book (The Hundred Yard War) was an inspiration to me when I coached. But at the same time, I don't know $h!t about Ohio...never been there...so how can I speak bad on a place I don't even know. It's like me lumping all the kids in Ohio, with Maurice Clarett or Jim Tressel. It would be DUMASPHUQ!
Posted by: CaneRock | January 24, 2014 at 02:41 PM
Let's get some fan's opinions on Bruce's comments, shall we?
"Get on Golden for offering Skai Moore the day of NSD. That is fair.
But a year in advance? That's offensive now? "
"smh. these so fla divas are out of hand. Its Jan 24th . You will not be signing a LOI until Feb 2015. GTFOH with that BS."
"This kid Bruce isn't signing for 2 f'n years...
Sad reflection on these kids honestly. "
"Entitled f@ckin kids. Damn shame. Be grateful you got another offer, don't worry about WHEN you get one. We're not to 2014 signing day and these kids complaining about getting an offer "finally" when it's over a year until they sign? Sad.
This Sh!t starts with parenting and continues with their coaches. "
"We offered Bruce TWO MONTHS before FSU did. Kid wasn't even a sophomore in HS when we offered.
What the hell is he complaining about exactly? That is not early enough? "
This is why recruiting drives me nuts. These kids expect people to suck their azzes, and feel entitled. I agree with other posters, these guys just want offers to gloat on twitter, and massage their f@cking egos. "
"Kids down here have turned into divas, all this azz kissing now has turned them into it"
"didn't realize getting a full ride to a school is disrespectful, regardless of the school. some of these kids…wow"
There's more, but that's all I'm posting and I'm done with this topic.
On to more recruiting. Be back when I have something.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:46 PM
So since nobody liked Bruce's comments (me also), South Florida athletes are entitled? IDC what people are commenting on CIS, 1 or 2 kids talking smack doesnt make SFLA players entitled.
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:48 PM
Well look at that, I got UMike and CR to be positive.
Win.
Lol
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:48 PM
I guess CaneSpace is full of "negative Nancy's" since UMike is so negative lol
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:49 PM
lol Ohio
Posted by: UMike | January 24, 2014 at 02:49 PM
"Kids down here have turned into divas, all this azz kissing now has turned them into it"
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 02:46 PM
Coaches make millions to kiss their A$$, Your either kissing A$$/paying them or getting blown out by them
Posted by: SinisterCane | January 24, 2014 at 02:55 PM
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: UpNorthCane27 | January 24, 2014 at 03:06 PM
I follow EVERY big-time player. Period. East, West, North, South.
U think Adoree Jackson was complaining about getting offers from USC, Florida and Texas A&M in late January last year? Hell no.
U think Andrew Brown cried when OU offered "late" in February 2013? No.
U think Bo Scarbrough whined about Notre Dame offering "Late" in December? No.
I'm not going through any more, but these are some of the best in the country. They don't complain, they're just grateful.
Like I said, kids with that attitude are everywhere, but it sticks out there.
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 24, 2014 at 03:10 PM
I would like to thank Al Golden for the tremendous job he and his staff have done in recruiting, especially this year.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/popcorn_yes.gif
Posted by: 30CINCO | January 24, 2014 at 03:10 PM