| Statistics are defined as one viewed as a | | | | who fall at a young age, is so much more than |
| nameless item of statistical information. Many | | | | just numbers. |
| young brothers and sisters are just that, a | | | | Sean Taylor is known to America as number 21, |
| statistic. The city of Philadelphia has over 300 | | | | a free safety for the Washington Redskins. The |
| statistics this year alone. Think about it, that's how | | | | guy that roams the middle of the field intercepts |
| we are remembered once we leave this planet, | | | | a few balls and lays the big hit on your favorite |
| as a statistic. Just a number and a few facts | | | | receiver. This is all that we will probably ever |
| about you and then you are forgotten. | | | | know about Sean. Sure there will be talk of how |
| Unfortunately, Washington Redskins free safety | | | | well of a parent, brother and son he was. |
| Sean Taylor is now a statistic. Early Monday | | | | Interviews with his closet friends and teammates |
| morning Taylor's Miami home was burglarized and | | | | will be conducted and that will give us a snapshot |
| he was shot in the leg. The bullet severed his | | | | of Sean Taylor's life. But for the most part Sean |
| femoral artery and Sean lost a lot of blood. He | | | | will remain just that, number 21 of the |
| was air lifted to a local hospital and spent 6 hours | | | | Washington Redskins. Defined and remembered |
| in surgery. Doctors told his family to "pray for a | | | | by a few numbers. Number 26 was his number in |
| miracle" as his chances of survival were very slim. | | | | college and he wore numbers 36 and 21 as a pro. |
| Sean Taylor passed away Tuesday morning as a | | | | We'll learn that he only went to one Pro Bowl and |
| result of his injuries. He leaves behind a loving | | | | won one National Championship while at Miami. The |
| family, teammates and an infant daughter. The | | | | most important number that will stick with us all is |
| brother is now just another statistic. | | | | 24. Sean Taylor was only 24 years old when he |
| Listening to Sean's life being described in | | | | was shot and killed. For many African-American |
| newspapers and news shows reminds me of how | | | | males, this is the daily reality in which they are |
| fragile life can be. I heard of how he led the NFL | | | | faced. Dieing before the age of 25 happens all too |
| in interceptions this season and how much he had | | | | often to black men, especially in areas of poverty. |
| matured as a man. Taylor was one of the most | | | | While Sean was able to remove himself from a |
| feared safeties in the league known for his | | | | bad environment, he could not escape the harsh |
| crushing hits and ball hawking ways. He was in his | | | | realities of being a young African-American male. |
| third year as a pro and headed to another Pro | | | | In the end, Sean will be remembered as a football |
| Bowl appearance this season. Looking at Sean's | | | | player. That's what he represented to so many |
| life, it seems as if he lived it to the fullest. He | | | | of us. He embodies what it means to come from |
| played football for one of the most notorious and | | | | such a bad place and to uplift yourself past what |
| storied programs in the country, the Miami | | | | is expected of you. Unfortunately Sean's life was |
| Hurricanes. Taylor was a part of a young nucleus | | | | cut short. His life was taken from him by another |
| of players in Washington that includes close friend | | | | human being which makes his death more painful. |
| running back Clinton Portis, wide receiver Santana | | | | Taylor's demise will contribute to the homicide |
| Moss, quarterback Jason Campbell and cornerback | | | | rate of Miami and will add another life to the |
| Carlos Rogers. The Redskins are a youthful team, | | | | growing list of young African-American males who |
| but a maturing one as well. Taylor missed the last | | | | were gunned down in 2007. Sean Taylor is more |
| two games because of a sprained knee, explaining | | | | than just a statistic; he is a father, a son, a |
| why he was at his home in Miami. He was | | | | teammate and a brother. You cannot place a |
| expected to return to play December 6th against | | | | number on what Sean's life meant those that |
| the Chicago Bears. Sean's life, just like so many | | | | loved him most. |