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Sean Taylor was on track to become one of the greatest NFL safeties of all-time before his untimely death when he was shot and killed in an armed robbery at his home in Miami. Despite his passing, Taylor, who burst onto the scene with the Miami Hurricanes before going on to become the No. 5 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, is remembered as a revolutionary player at the position and one of the best to ever take the field during his four-year career.
While with the Miami Hurricanes and Washington Redskins, the 6-foot-3, 212-pound safety was a BCS national champion, Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American, first-team All-Pro, two-time Pro Bowler, and first-team All-Big East. Taylor recorded 299 tackles, 12 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, two sacks, and one touchdown through his NFL career.
He is also remembered for one of the most vicious hits in NFL Pro Bowl history when he crushed Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman. He was known as one of the hardest hitters in the league. Taylor’s death came during the 2007 NFL season, while he was leading the NFC in interceptions despite missing two weeks of the year due to a knee injury. Taylor was the first NFL player to posthumously be voted into the Pro Bowl.
As we remember Taylor’s fantastic career with the Washington Redskins and Miami Hurricanes, let’s look back at some of the best highlights and biggest hits.
Sean Taylor Highlights
What Happened?
Sean Taylor was tragically shot and killed in Miami, Florida on November 27, 2007 at just 24 years old. Taylor was shot in the upper leg by the burglars, with his girlfriend Jackie Garcia and 18-month-old daughter also in the home. Both women were unharmed.
The gunshot wound severed Taylor’s femoral artery and he ultimately died from blood loss.
Five suspects, aged from 16 to 20, were arrested for the shooting and hit with multiple charges from felony first-degree murder, armed burglary, and home invasion with a firearm. The gunman was 17-year-old Eric Rivera, Jr.