Some Memories Never Fade

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

Perhaps by fate, or maybe by coincidence, it was later that same year that the University of Miami, behind a quarterback named Kosar and coach named Schnellenberger (seen below with QB Jim Kelly), would win their first college football National Championship by beating 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 his team and its fans in his home town.

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

After a spectacular Senior season and a hotly contested recruiting battle, 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, a hometown boy had already grown to become a hometown hero and would eventually become a true legend to Canes fans in the 305 and beyond.

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 in his carrer 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.  He was nicknamed "Meast" by teammates for being part man, part beast.  Taylor would become one of the most feared hitters in the NFL and gained the respect of his peers at the highest level of competition.       

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 27, 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 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 Miami Hurricane fans will remember Sean Taylor. 

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

Comments

[Habane]

RIP ST. One of the best there ever was

[laquinton]

Rip Sean.

Ever want to see greatness?

YouTube Legend of Sean.

[laquinton]

It's the offense stupid!

Posted by: 86Cane | November 27, 2014 at 08:58 PM

So next year we gotta be top 10 in total defense and let's say top 25 in total offense and that will get us 10 wins.

[BackInTheHeyDay]

Wow I'm kind of shocked this was posted this late! We Canes are going through some trying times! God bless errbody! Keep the faith! GO CANES!!!

[BackInTheHeyDay]

RIP ST26!!! Gone but not forgotten!!

[86Cane]

This time last year:

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2013/11/canes-kick-the-stuff-out-of-pitt.html

[Sarasota 'cane]

Love you guys! Happy Thanksgiving!

[SJMPARMAN]

I have ant things for which I am thankful. This blog and the people who participate in it are really a great group of people, dedicated and hard core fans, and I consider myself lucky to be a part of it. Thank you Soup for all you do! God Bless.

[SJMPARMAN]

That should have been many things for which I am thankful, including excess tryptophan from that delicious Turkey today, lol.

[86Cane]

Thank you Soup for all you do! God Bless.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | November 27, 2014 at 10:49 PM

All I do is for The U!

[86Cane]

Saraosta...I sold 4 houses in 2 days this week! Now, if I can get the ALL to closing I might be able to afford a cheesburger or two? LOL

[raizecane]

ST was a true BEAST........

[raizecane]

86 - nice going on the 4 houses.

[Ohio_Cane]

RIP, 26. U are missed always and forever.

[TonyCane]

Happy thanksgiving to the players, coaches, and staff. Eat hearty, and win on Saturday!

[86Cane]

Raize...thanks, but, uh, that avatar is over the top don't U think? This is a family show after all! LOL

[roachcane77]

Congrats SOUP. Nice article, ST was one in a million, and will be missed by everyone, especially his family. A tragedy.

[YooperCane]

Go canes! Beat Pitt!

[raizecane]

for a few hours.....nahhhhhhh (LOL)

[raizecane]

and it was past "prime time"....... :-)

[86Cane]

OK, I got U.

[TonyCane]

Me too SJMPARAM. Love you guys and have a great Thanksgiving.

[Old Skool]

Historical thought
Don't know who gets to be Lincoln nor who would be Burnside, but I sure know who our McClellan is.

In 1862, McClellan led the army down Chesapeake Bay to the James Peninsula, southeast of the Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia. During this campaign, he exhibited the timidity and sluggishness that later doomed him. During the Seven Days Battles, McClellan was poised near Richmond but retreated when faced with a series of attacks by Lee. McClellan always believed that he was vastly outnumbered, though he actually had the numerical advantage. He spent the rest of the summer camped on the peninsula while Lincoln began moving much of his command to General John Pope's Army of Virginia.

After Lee defeated Pope at the Second Battle of Bull Run in late August, 1862 he invaded Maryland. With the Confederates crashing into Union territory, Lincoln had no choice but to turn to McClellan to gather the reeling Yankee forces and stop Lee. On September 17, 1962, McClellan and Lee battled to a standstill along Antietam Creek near Sharpsburg, Maryland. Lee retreated back to Virginia and McClellan ignored Lincoln's urging to pursue him. For six weeks, Lincoln and McClellan exchanged angry messages, but McClellan stubbornly refused to march after Lee. In late October, McClellan finally began moving across the Potomac in feeble pursuit of Lee, but he took nine days to complete the crossing. Lincoln had seen enough. Convinced that McClellan could never defeat Lee, Lincoln notified the general on November 5 of his removal. A few days later, Lincoln named General Ambrose Burnside to be the commander of the Army of the Potomac.

[KYcane]

I sold 4 houses in 2 days this week!

Posted by: 86Cane | November 27, 2014 at 11:01 PM

Won't be long until we see an epic real estate battle.

#TheSoup vs #TheDonald

[KYcane]

that avatar is over the top don't U think?
Posted by: 86Cane | November 27, 2014 at 11:19 PM

I'm hoping he brings his photo album with him to the game Saturday.

[KYcane]

Thankfully the legal system was finally able to bring ST26's killers to judgement.

Now if only it could catch Brian Pata's killers.

[86Cane]

Old Skool...great story and analogy. I am familiar with that story after reading Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly. It is one of the best researched and wriiten books I have read in a LONG time. Highly recommended reading!

The recent movie "Lincoln" was also very good.

[86Cane]

#TheSoup vs #TheDonald

Posted by: KYcane | November 28, 2014 at 09:03 AM

I GOT THIS!

[86Cane]

Total sales this month: $659,000.

Now if I can get them all to closing before 12/31 then it will be a Happy New Year. And I am not done yet!

[AeroCane]

86 - you can get them all closed timely and efficiently and cost effectively with my son, Jesse, at bayway mortgage. We close with some prominent Watson agents in north Florida and Orlando is a hop, skip and a jump away!

Ps I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

[Terrance Sullivan]

RIP to the late great Sean Taylor U were and always will be in the mind's, heart's, and souls of the Hurricanes faithful forever. Soup thank U for posting this article yearly. Hoped everyone had a good Thanksgiving. Go Canes Beat Pitt! See U all at Sun Life tomorrow afternoon.

[1mg of Epi]

### Fans aren’t the only ones who believe UM underachieved. Players do, too.
“We did,” Duke Johnson said. “It wasn’t the talent [that was the problem]. We didn’t come out and play to the talent level.”
Said center Shane McDermott: “We have tons of talent and our record doesn’t show it. We're way better than 6-5 talent wise.”

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2014/11/napier-ennis-drawing-attention-compliments-dolphins-canes-marlins-notes.html#storylink=cpy

[Go Canes]

2% of $659k?

[86Cane]

We close with some prominent Watson agents in north Florida and Orlando is a hop, skip and a jump away!

Ps I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

Posted by: AeroCane | November 28, 2014 at 09:42 AM

We still need to meet for lunch one day. I'll have my people talk to your people. LOL

[86Cane]

3% of $659,000 minus 20% to broker.

Still a big chunk of change.

[86Cane]

#RIPST26

[AeroCane]

Sounds good and yes, that's a nice chunk! Do it monthly and now you're talking!

[CaneRock]

SOUP...how close are you to winning that Benz?

[Go Canes]

Almost 2.5% is awesome,

[Go Canes]

### Not only is UM losing several of its top players, but next year’s schedule poses challenges, with Clemson and Nebraska both visiting Sun Life Stadium, and Duke and FSU on the road.

Other home games in 2015: Georgia Tech, Virginia, Virginia Tech and likely Bethune Cookman.

Other road games: Cincinnati, FAU, North Carolina and Pittsburgh.

### UM ruled Deon Bush and Herb Waters out for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2014/11/napier-ennis-drawing-attention-compliments-dolphins-canes-marlins-notes.html#storylink=cpy

[CaneRock]

Which puts the school in a bind. Do they make the low-percentage play which avoids the media storm that will surely rain down on them if they fire the “loyal” coach and hope he does something he has shown he is incapable of doing for four years? Or, do they bite the bullet, take the hit from the national media, and move on to someone who might give them a better chance of reaching a higher plateau?

In the end, their duty should be to the players. The kids that committed not just to a coach, but to a school. While they will, without a doubt, rank and file support Golden if asked, that is not the Administration’s job. Just like it is not a parent’s job to ask a child what food the child wants to eat. It’s the Administration’s job to make the decision that is in the best interest of the players’ careers, and given the narrow four years that each player has, making a move that has a higher potential to waste one of those years seems unfathomable.

Denzel Perryman’s Senior Day is on Saturday. The time flew by. There is no time to waste. If the school concludes that it is likely at some point in the near future that they will have to move on from Al Golden, they must do so now. Unless they truly believe that it is more likely that Al Golden wins conference and national championships at Miami, than he has to be fired, then the decision has already been made, and Golden should be coaching his last game as head coach of the University of Miami on Saturday.

[Go Canes]

These melodramatic proclamations literally make me laugh out loud.

Where did you poach that post?

[CoCane]

Folden has lost 3 times to Virginia. Fire him just for that...

[CaneRock]

"Melodramatic proclamations"?

Sorta like saying we're only gonna lose 1 more game the rest of way, after getting our @$$e$ JUH-RUBBED! by Lousiville,NU, & GT.

Or do you call that MOVING THE TARGET...BWAHAAAHAHAAAAAAAAA!

[1mg of Epi]

CR... There's gonna be a "media storm" if they fire AG? Huh?

[CaneRock]

.

[Go Canes]

Exactly Epi.

[SinisterCane]

Go Canes,

didn't you say that if Golden lost another Coastal game that you would call for his head?

[CaneRock]

CR... There's gonna be a "media storm" if they fire AG? Huh?

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | November 28, 2014 at 11:53 AM

http://www.canesinsight.com/threads/threads/82406-Vish-s-new-article-says-it-all

[Go Canes]

These kids are getting a free ride to a top 50 school and any player with NFL talent among our upperclassmen has been developed and will get drafted.

If he goes, he goes. If he stays, which he will, I'll support him.

But this ridiculous viewpoint where somehow these players are victims that need to be saved from our coach takes stupidity to a new level.

Bad losses, for sure. Questions going forward, absolutely.

But give me a break with the rest