R.I.P. Sean Taylor

Man, oh man. If it's not one thing, it's another. I don't know what goes on in some people's minds that make them think they have the right to take someone's life. Take the money, take the jewelry, hell, even beat him up. But to kill a man? To kill a father, a son, a fiance, a brother, a friend, a teammate. I don't want to make it seem like this is only about the murder, yes, murder, of 24-year old Sean Taylor, because as sad as this situation is, it's not the overarching issue. It's about the state of human consciousness, or lack there of, in 2007. It's about the massacre at Virginia Tech. It's about Sean Bell. It's about the four students shot execution style in Newark, NJ. It's about the son who recently chopped up/dismembered his mother and brother, and dumped their bodies in the Harlem River. What is going on these days?

I'm deeply saddened by this most recent death. Sean Taylor was safety for the Washington Redskins. He went to the University of Miami, AKA 'NFL U,' one of the most dominant football programs in recent history. Drafted 5th overall by the 'Skins in the 2004 NFL Draft, Taylor was regarded as one of the best safeties in the league, and rightfully so. At 6'2", 212 lbs, Taylor was quick, strong and agile. He was known for his hard hits, his aggressive style of play, and his uncanny knack for knowing exactly where the ball was on every play. In his career he had 344 total tackles, 245 of them solo, 41 deflected passes, 8 forced fumbles and 12 interceptions, 1 returned for a touchdown.

I was in class working in a small group on our final project. We started talking about the Sean Taylor tragedy and I was shocked at how easily swayed people could be. I was apalled by the tone of the conversation; the only thing they could talk about was how his death was probably precipitated by something he did. A man is dead. Dead. The only thing these guys could say was that Taylor was a bad apple, and that whatever events led up to his killing were his fault, and probably the result of some shady dealings. I know some people who have done some questionable things, but I also know that those things don't make them bad people. Anyone who talks about Taylor speaks highly of him. How he has matured over the past few seasons and how he was a man forever changed by the birth of his daughter, Jackie. An innocent 18-month old child who will never see her father again because of greed and wrecklessness.

About a week prior to the fatal shooting, Taylor's house had been burglarized. A few items were damaged, some belongings rifled through but it seemed to be nothing major. Sean Taylor was not at home during the first burglary, but was staying in Florida. He hurt his knee a few weeks prior, and was back in home rehabbing. It is assumed that the same thieves came back to steal more, but found Taylor instead. Preliminary reports show that Taylor was shot twice; once in the groin area, and another in his thigh. He was rushed to the hospital, in fact air lifted, where he later died of complications from severe blood loss, as his femoral artery was severed. His fiancee and daughter were also present in the house at the time, but were unharmed. Well, physically at least.

It's weird how sports can make you feel about a person. I have some guys I enjoy watching, and some guys I love. Like, actually love. There are some players you just gravitate towards, pads, helmet and all. Sean Taylor was one of them. This is an unbelievable turn of events, and anyone who has ever lost someone in their lives to something senseless can understand. This not just something that goes on in the Black community, but damn do we seem to be getting the sharp end of the stick on this one.