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

[VA Cane]

Cant agree more ladies and gents. This season, 2020...will live in infamy...in this nation. I would have played with who i had....especially the young kids. You DO NOT get better playing your best players all the time. There are games you can get em in...but 2020 covid season....i would have played the hell out of them....win lose draw. You dont get better in practice against your buds every day....you need to get the young kids playing time against people they dont know...practice now..at UM...buddy vs buddy...soft!!!...you aint going 110% 24/7 at UM now..soft!
Per my last post...when was independent....it was a hatefest in practice....you fought...then went out and kicked the hell out of the new blood...it was easy cause you fought all week and the was soft...you loved crushing them!....now buddy on buddy makes ya soft!!!...get out and play a WF Pitt Duke...whoever...it builds character...to Hit Hate and Hurt!!! You show that QB from Pitt what a Tatumizer is!!!!!

I love guys fighting in practice it builds competition and camaraderie at the same time...then you go to WAR% against your opponent together...we aint liker that now....sad...what ya think CGNC...and 86?!! you know what i mean!!!!

[86Cane]

I love guys fighting in practice it builds competition and camaraderie at the same time...then you go to WAR against your opponent together...we aint liker that now....sad...what ya think CGNC...and 86?!!

Posted by: VA Cane | December 02, 2020 at 07:49 PM

Hell yeah I know what you mean! We fight more and harder here on the blog than they do in practice right now. You have said worst things to me and me to you than these guys have ever heard from each other in practice and we are still going strong.

Why? Because the LOVE of the game and the team is STRONG. We have that deep rooted feeling that sports are life and life is sports. We drive hard and fast, pedal to the metal. Hell we might swerve alot but we ain't scurred. It is worth the risk for the reward of ultimate success.

If the Canes get that fire in their blood they may play like it matters. Like losing is death. And like winning is all that ever matters every single second.

[RCCF]

Savion Collins Decommits

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RCCF

[AfriCane]

I just heard RCCF!

[The Herb]

Savion Collins, finally decomits. Oh well. Heard he is better as an oh linemen than DL. Big dude but now we should have 5 ships available. Who they give them to, is anyone's guess. The only kid that is remotely linked to Miami is Markievious Brown. Garcia is a far shot. I guess Manny is going to raid the portal again.
I mean we do need corners don't we? Brown is about 50/50 and he is a borderline 4 star.
Better be hitting up McGhee and McBurrows.

[CGNC]

I always rememember the story of Shockey getting mad at practice and eating dirt ..fighting during the practices was common.

During those years I had a shirt - still have it - on the front
"It's no attitude".....on the back
"We're that good". Yes it is obnoxious and yes I used to wear it out to watch games. You can only get away with a shirt like that when you haven't lost a game in 3 years.

Still have the shirt. Still waiting.....

[The Herb]

Well, say this ain't so Garcia decomits from So.Cal.
I even said, This late in the game, no way Garcia decoms.
Hell, I've never more happy to be wrong.
Now we have to not screw this new opportunity up.
Go out and spank puke and the rest of these bums we got left on the schedule and that includes UNC. We may have to score half a 100 to win but that would one ugly win that is expected.

[Harry Miller]

Garcia may be headed to Georgia. That is where his dad moved to.

[Old Skool]

Tidbits from the Tampa Bay Times:

Scott Patchan is one of only six players in the country averaging more than one sack per game (he has 3½ in three starts).

3 — Different Hurricanes have recorded at least three tackles for loss in a game: Jaelan Phillips, Quincy Roche and Gilbert Frierson

710 —Rushing yards by Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson over the past two games. Yes, two games.

74 — Consecutive games No. 23 Washington has held its opponent to under 36 points. That’s the longest active streak in the nation

2 —Touchdowns allowed over the past four games by Willie Taggart’s Florida Atlantic Owls

1 —Team that has not yet allowed a rushing touchdown: Wisconsin

[VA Cane]

I agree people....
with this QB things look a lot better...I can only hope he will come back...but if we start to get a little mad...chippy....in practice!!!! like we want to win every game....I think it would make a difference in getting back to where we want to go!!!

[VA Cane]

As you know i am not a big fan of a lot of the talking heads....just knuckleheads who are so biased.....BUT I do wish Shannon Mushmouth Sharpe and Skip Balless would find other sports topics.....every day its Lebron and Brady for those two....like nobody else exists.....not a big fan of either player either....but hearing about them from these 2 clowns make me like them a lot less....get off the horse dudes....its been beat to death and yet you still do it...move on..

[alpine]

Posted by: Old Skool | December 04, 2020 at 09:17 AM

thank you for an interesting & enjoyable post!

[KYcane]

Posted by: Old Skool
thank you for an interesting & enjoyable post!

Posted by: alpine | December 04, 2020 at 01:39 PM

That’s because he is an interesting and enjoyable fella

[Old Skool]

Well Shucks
Thanks KY

[alpine]

ky, skool, you two bring out the grin

loved "fella" . . . sounds like 1960's good ole boy speech (positively speaking; no troll)

[RCCF]

Can the Original ACC Schools Petition the ND Decision to Gift Them Games??

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RCCF

[alpine]

Can the Original ACC Schools Petition the ND Decision to Gift Them Games??

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RCCF

Posted by: RCCF | December 04, 2020 at 04:17 PM

?????

they took down clemson; everyone else, too
. . . they've earned their xmas cookies & milk

[RCCF]

I feel like they were gifted.
Beating Clemson w/o Sunshine
vs
Losing and Your Only loss is to Sunshine Led Clemson

So say Clemson Pounds ND like the ND we Know..
Does Miami get a Top 4 Bid???? Is Miami Iced Out the ACC Lane?? Do we root for Everyone ahead of us to lose and Michigan pull the plug on the Ohio State game?

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RCCF

[RCCF]

Who is everyone else? ND played a very soft ACC schedule with no wants to see Miami...
They could've taken this weekend...but.....
We Get Duke....if the ACC Really Wanted Smoke it'd be ND vs Miami and Miami Wins!!

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RCCF

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!

[86Cane]

CGNC yes, U nailed it!

https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2008/10/slapping-down-the-devil-in-the-blue-dress.html

https://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2008/10/devil-of-a-time.html