Why Is Taylor's Death So Troubling To Us?

[BringBackJoeT]

No doubt, as others have already said, the loss of life of any Redskin would be devastating. You root for a team, you develop a special connection to the players, and when something like this happens, you feel awful. But there is also no question that Sean Taylor stood out for Redskin fans, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that he never wore any other jersey as a pro. The bottom line is that what has stood out more about this franchise over the course of the last decade than anything else is its attempt to bring in so many players who have made their marks on other teams. This list is legion. Before Sean arrived, we saw the likes of Deion Sanders, Bruce Smith, Jeff George, Dana Stubblefield, Mark Carrier, etc., come and go. Since he arrived, we've seen ARE, Andre Carter, Santana Moss, Marcus Washington, Shawn Springs, and even Clinton Portis join the Redskin ranks. But Sean was from the start our own. He was a Redskin draft pick who became a superstar WHILE wearing the burgandy and gold. Who measures up? Lavar? Not quite. Sure, Lavar was a pro-bowler, but he was our best player during some of the franchise's most depressing years. Chris Samuels and Jon Jansen? Now there are two guys who we all probably have some special feelings for, and Cooley as well. But as much as we love them, isn't it true that Sean still stood out? I think it is true. Look, in addition to being a Redskin from the get-go, there is also the sheer football factor. What I mean by that this is the game of football, a truly violent game, and Sean walked around the field with that intense stare, with a level of confidence - and a swagger - that every football fan has to admit loving. I remember seeing on tv Lawrence Taylor saying to the crowd at the Meadowlands the day they retired his jersey that, while Lawrence Taylor could have played football for any NFL team, without the Giant fans there never would have been an L-T. Say what you will about LT, but what he was saying to Giant fans was that there was an inter-connection between the Giant fans love for LT and the degree to which he became a superstar. Giant fans loved Phil Sims and Jim Burt, but LT defined the Giants the way that Giant fans wanted the team defined, and LT thrived on that. I think that holds true for Sean and the Redskins. We were excited about him from the start, and he seemed to feed on that. Witness the many examples people have put up on this site about how he welcomed Redskin fanfare. Yeah, there was that same inter-connection. I definitely believe this has so much to do with why his death is impacting us all so sharply.

[wilsowilso]

If someone had called me and said guess which Redskin player was just shot I would have said Sean Taylor. I just can't stop thinking about that. Who knows if his past has anything to do with this, but he did have a history being around a more violent type of world than most of us are familiar with. I mean you could see it in his eyes. He didn't grow up in a dangerous neighborhood by the way, but he found himself in dangerous neighborhoods quite a bit while he was growing up. I really want to know why someone came after him. What made them so angry. It's probably something completely insignificant and that is making me pretty mad. Mostly it's just a sad tragic thing for his family and friends and for his biggest fans. Us.

[12thMan]

I wonder too, if...there was something in Sean Taylor that was in us as well. And when he died a little part of us died, and that's what makes this so personal in a lot of ways.

I don't know.

[skinsfan_nn]

Such a senseless act of violence, over what?

Killing a young man that was just learning how to become a father, good citizen, good teammate, peaking in his career. All the good things you expect to do as you grow up and mature.

All snuffed out for nothing.

I sure hope they get these fools that commited this murder off the street quickly.

[wilsowilso]

Also it's not very often when diehard fans are greeted with the type of news where they simply say. I don't care anything about the game of football right now. Just let him be alright and he won't ever have to play again.

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by wilsowilso

Also it's not very often when diehard fans are greeted with the type of news where they simply say. I don't care anything about the game of football right now. Just let him be alright and he won't ever have to play again.

That's the paradox to me. All of the stuff I have posted, about being robbed of the joy of watching him. I would 100% do anything I could to have him alive but unable to play. We all could deal with him never playing again if he was alive. And I'd do it happily now.

[Cowell]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

That's the paradox to me. All of the stuff I have posted, about being robbed of the joy of watching him. I would 100% do anything I could to have him alive but unable to play. We all could deal with him never playing again if he was alive. And I'd do it happily now.

I agree wholeheartedly, I would love to just have him alive even if he could never play again.

[itvnetop]

I don't know why it's hurt so much, but it feels like a buddy died. I know that sounds unbelievable, but when you've followed a guy for a number of years, seen his growth and gone through the ups and downs... it's like you don't know how much you really pay attention until they're gone.

I had just hit the bed when I heard the announcement on the radio at 3:30 a.m. PT. I was so devastated I couldn't even get out of bed to jump on the warpath... I couldn't sleep either. I feel so horrible for his family as well.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

For me it would be devasting to lose any redskin. I know it would. This guy I have loved and seen him grow as a player and as a man since he was 20. I have followed as much as I could of about Sean. when he was drafted a hope was born in me that this guy would be a piece of our return. He instilled hope with his play and god given ability to play. He loved football and you could tell from the first preseason game he played. I cheered for him. I felt bad for him as a player when the defense was holding the team on its back and the offense did nothing. I loved Sean Taylor as part of the Redskins family. I feel as if I know him. I loved his play and will remember him always.
WE WILL REMEMBER SEAN.

Also we have nothing to compare this too. There isn't another sport out there where a team lost the star in the middle of the season. this guy was like a Micheal Jordan type guy in my eyes.

[SBprimetime]

When I woke up this morning and saw that he died, I just stared at my computer screen. Sean Taylor was my favorite player of all-time and he can never be replaced...I wouldn't care if the Redskins forfeited the rest of their season. The way he played and the person he was becoming was amazing. I just cried for the first time since I can remember and I've never even met him.

[bertoskins2]

he is the most promising player in Joe gibbs era, irregardless of how the media continue to ruined his reputation. he is the trademark of our defense. what make this so sad is that he is young and is just starting to play his full potentential this season as he leads the NFC in interception. with laron out there he blossomed as the best safety in the NFL. but life and death, no one can control. life must go on.

[Vulta121]

I don't know what it is but I have been sad all day. I thought that he may have been in trouble yesterday but although I thought he might pass I was so optimistic that he would be fine. I can't explain it but I've been sad all day. I gone to all of my classes and I can't focus. I just hope that something like this never happens again. I live in Miami and they have been covering it all day. Its not really that bad out here the way reporters are making it seem. I hope the catch the killer.... RIP SEAN

[desperadoinfl]

I pray for his family, friends and fans. Life is precious and can be gone in an instant. There is more to this story than meets the eye. God speed to you Shawn.

[Captain_Chaos_73]

Why does Taylor's death sound more and more like "A Hit". 2 Break Ins in a week, Knife left on the bed, Phone Lines Cut...

[Sammy Baugh Fan]

Why so sad?
Well to keep it a Team level and not human.

He was our Bright Spot even in tough games. Even when we lost I could say.... "Yeah but did you see Sean Taylor decapitate that reciever? POW!!!!" "Sean Taylor blew weeks out of his memory cells man!!!!"


I'll miss that.