Why Is Taylor's Death So Troubling To Us?

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I don't think we'd mourn the same way if this had happened to say Asante Samuel or even Reed Doughty. It's not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. Sean Taylor was a Redskin (part of our favorite team). Not only that, but he was a uniquely gifted athlete who we are blessed to have seen play albeit for only a brief period of time. Speaking specifically about Taylor the player, guys like him come along once every decade or so in any sport.

I asked myself this question yesterday, and honestly, I don't think I would be nearly as upset, even if it was another Redskin like Rock Cartwright(one of my favorite Redskins).

Taylor was my favorite player, and has been since he was drafted. Like others have said, it has a lot to do with how he played the game; 100 miles an hour, balls to the wall, and fearless. He's the type of player that makes football fun to watch. He was the true anchor of this team. Even the other fan favorites get debated; Is Campbell the Answer?, Portis vs Betts, What's Wrong with Santana, but I don't ever recall a discussion about whether Taylor was the answer at free safety. As closed off as he was to the media, he was still a fan favorite because of his actions on the field.

I honestly feel like a distant friend of mine has died. It's strange. Outside of family and friends, I've never been this messed up about someone's passing. The only other athlete's passing that was mildly upsetting to me was Walter Payton, and that didn't eff my head up nearly as much.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Obviously he was one of the "Core Redskins", but I think the part that bothers me so much is that he was a bright young man who had turned the corner and "figured it out" after the birth of his daughter.

He made a few immature 18-22 year old mistakes (who hasn't), learned from them and was on the road to becoming a Hall of Fame caliber player, but more importantly a great husband and father.

His work ethic was unmatched as well as his enthusiasm for the game. To see a young man, who is doing all the right things, taken in the prime of his life by a low-life piece of vermin is what I believe is troubling us the most.

Yes I agree with that.. It is no question at all one of the reasons why Sean's death has impacted us all..

[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.

[JWsleep]

You always knew, that over the middle, against our defense, was no-man's land. Sean Taylor was there, and even the toughest of WRs and TEs got "alligator arms." And, in every game he played in, I am quite sure of this, there would be at least one hit where a running back or receiver would just go flying. And then you'd see it was Sean. And then, when we needed it most, a fumble, a pick six, or a returned blocked field goal setting up a win. I always felt like, whatever they do to us, we've got Taylor. If I talked to fans of other teams, no matter what they'd say about the skins, they would acknowledge Taylor. He was a truly special football player.

And then there is the man. We watched him struggle, grow, and thrive. He was the most human of the skins--the most like us in our own struggles and aspirations. Not to say we've got his talent, but we've all made mistakes, and we all hope to overcome them and grow, like we saw Sean do. And we, as fans, knew he was not the thug the media liked to portray, but a good man, a funny, loving, caring, passionate person--the kind of person that everyone from Gregg Williams to Lavar Arrington to Clinton Portis to Reed Doughty could admire and praise without qualification. He was the one who most personified the struggle, the challenge, and the triumph of, well, of getting through life and coming out on the right side of things.

I remember when he had the legal trouble with the shooting--there were times I just wanted to yell at him: "Sean! We're all with you! Get it straight, man!" And then he did, and he was thriving.

And now he's gone. There's a hole in the redskins family, and in my heart, that is not going to be filled. That is why his death is so troubling, IMHO.

(And I still just CANNOT believe it. I am going through these motions, but somewhere in my head a voice is saying, "This is a dream. It is not happening. You will wake up and laugh at the horrors your own mind can cook up, Josh." Still waiting to wake up.)

[EternalEnigma21]

I really do LOVE this team and he was my favorite player on it. I loved arrington as well, and was upset when he left, but I still see him running around, and on comcast after the game...

Sean is dead... and it hurts. One of my biggest joys in life is watching the skins and for the past 4 years he's been one of the main focal points of that joy. You can look at his face and see that even though his style of play and exterior were rugged, he had a soft side underneath...

And the fact that he was shy around the media and didn't want to bask in the spotlight and chase endorsement deals was a big plus. He was just a football player. The best football player we've had in decades, I'd say.

I think because he's such a big part of our team, though, its going to be a have a much larger impact on the fanbase.

I understand the question, though... it has really torn me up alot more than I would ever expect it to. I keep finding myself fighting back tears in front of my family.... god this sucks.