Because I'm still saddened by the news of Sean Taylor's passing, I don't want to expound upon what I'm feeling too heavily. For those who know me, however, know that I have been a life long fan of the burgundy & gold. Furthermore, despite some of his on-field antics, have been a true appreciator of Sean's game. The dude brought passion and aggression to his position, and hit like he loved the game. I loved having a player that every one in the league not only knew about, but had to account for. Casual fans to hard-core fans all knew what #21 brought to the table, and nobody wanted to catch the ball in his vicinity.
The thing is, it goes deeper than him being a really good football player. I have no doubt that, were he to remain healthy and have a 9- 12 year pro career, he would have been a shoe-in for a hall of fame induction. Even deeper than that, he really seemed to be growing. It's amazing because I had observed since the onset of this season that he didn't seem as stand-offish after plays or as overly aggressive--however, he was no less effective. He wasn't jawing off at folks after plays, but he was still making big plays to help his team. Coincidentally, most every account from those who knew him in the locker room said they saw change in him over the last 1 1/2- 2 years (much of which they attribute to the birth of his now 18 month old daughter). He was beginning to come around, beginning to become the total package. It's terrible that at 24 years old...wow.
I find it sad that we have to lose this young man before he had a chance to let the world know who he was and what he stood for. Heart broken that he will never get a chance to see his daughter grow up, or that she'll never get to know her daddy. I feel cheated that another young black man was taken over something that could never amount to what his life was worth (I don't know the cause or motivation, I just know his life, and those lives that were/are affected are worth more). Dismayed that he didn't get the chance to become one of the best, perhaps the best at his position to play the game. Disappointed that the national media descended upon Michael Vick like a pack of rabid wolves over the loss of some dogs, but didn't give anywhere near the same amount of attention to a man who lost his life. When he was in trouble, they had no problem highlighting his screw-ups, but now that he's gone, he's a random blurb.
To me, he was a little brother I never met, that I got a chance to watch on Sunday's do what I never could. He was somebody my nephew and I could bond over. He was a player I could hang my hat on, no matter how bad we as a team may have stunk. But more than that, he was somebodies father, some one's son, some one's team mate. He was a representative of the class of people who make it out and have a chance to inspire others. He was respected by his allies and his foes for doing his job exceedingly well. People took time out of their lives to cheer against him, or root for him on game day because he was that good. He was a man. And he...and his daughter...and his fiance deserved more.