Miami Hurricanes legend Sean Taylor having number retired by Washington Football Team

The Washington Football Team will retire the number 21 jersey of Miami Hurricanes legend Sean Taylor on Sunday. Taylor was murdered at his home in Miami while home on bye week halfway through his fourth season in the NFL in 2007. In 2003 Taylor was a unanimous first-team All-American and Big East Player of the Year.

With 10 interceptions in 2003, Taylor tied the Miami single-season record that Bennie Blades initially set in 1986 and led the nation while adding three returns for touchdowns. Taylor was second-team All-Big East in 2002 and was a backup to Miami Hurricanes legend Ed Reed on the 2001 national championship team.

Blades, Reed and Taylor are considered the three best safeties in Miami history. In just three seasons, two as a starter, Taylor finished fifth in Miami history with 14 career interceptions. Reed broke Blades’ record of 19, finishing with 21 between 1998-2002. Taylor is second in Miami history in interception return yards and TDs.

Taylor was third on the Miami Hurricanes with 87 tackles in his first season as a starter in 2002. Taylor added three punt returns for 101 yards, including a 78 yard TD against Pittsburgh. The duty of replacing Reed as the starting safety in 2002 were big shoes for Taylor to fill. Taylor more than fulfilled that role.

An incredible athlete even at the highest level, Taylor also ran track at Miami. Taylor was inducted posthumously into the Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2015. The three interceptions returns for TDs by Taylor in 2003 are a Miami single-season record. Taylor once finished fourth in the Big East in the 100 meters behind four teammates.

Taylor came to Miami from Gulliver Prep where he ran for 1,300 yards and set the Florida record with 44 touchdowns. Taylor also had more than 100 tackles leading the Raiders to the 2000 State Championship. The athleticism Taylor showed parlayed to other sports as played basketball and ran track.

Taylor won the Florida 2A 100 meters as a senior in high school. In 2007 Taylor was named to the Florida All-Century team. Gulliver named their home field Sean Taylor Memorial Field in 2009. Taylor began his high school career at Killian before transferring to Gulliver. Taylor is one of the greatest players in Florida history.

Following his stellar Miami career, Taylor was selected fifth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Washington Football Team. Taylor was named to the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2004 and to the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007. In 55 career NFL games, Taylor finished with 305 tackles, 12 interceptions, eight forced fumbles and six TFLs.

Taylor’s family will be present at FedEx Field when Washington retires Taylor’s number 21 and names the street leading to the stadium Sean Taylor Road. Washington team President Jason Wright praised Taylor for his resilience and work ethic in a release announcing the number retirement.