Sean Taylor
Hard-hitting safety for the Washington Redskins, known as 'Meast,' who earned one Pro Bowl selection during his career and a second posthumously.
Sean Michael Maurice Taylor (April 1, 1983 – November 27, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a safety for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the Redskins, where he played four seasons until his murder in 2007.
- Draft Year
- 2004
- College
- University of Miami (Miami Hurricanes)
Lore & Background
Taylor played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he was a member of their 2001 BCS National Championship team and won the Jack Tatum Trophy. With the Redskins, he gained a reputation as a hard-hitting player and was nicknamed 'Meast' from the expression 'half man, half beast.' He made one Pro Bowl appearance in 2006. During the 2007 season, Taylor was shot by intruders at his Miami area home and died the next day on November 27. Posthumously, he earned a second Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors. Taylor was inducted to Washington's Ring of Fame in 2008.
In Their Own Story
The noise of FedExField faded into a hollow silence as the ball hung suspended in the air, a perfect spiral against the gray November sky. Sean Taylor didn't hesitate; he launched himself with a ferocity that seemed to defy gravity, his eyes locked on the target. The interception was secure before he even hit the turf, but this time, the roar of the crowd felt different—lighter, yet heavier with an unspoken fear for the future.
Reader's Guide
Taylor was born in Florida City, Florida, on April 1, 1983. He played high school football at Gulliver Preparatory School, where he helped win the Florida Class 2A State Championship in 2000. He rushed for 1,400 yards and scored a state-record 44 touchdowns as a senior. In college at Miami, he was a unanimous first-team All-American in 2003 and led the nation in interceptions with 10. He was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He signed a six-year, $18.5 million contract on July 27, 2004. Taylor made one Pro Bowl in 2006 and was posthumously voted to a second Pro Bowl for the 2007 season.
Did You Know?
- Taylor was a standout high school player in Florida, though the claim of a state single-season touchdown record is unverified.
- He was a member of the 2001 Miami Hurricanes national championship team.
- Taylor was nicknamed 'Meast' (half man, half beast).
- He was inducted into Washington's Ring of Fame in 2008.
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