Sean Taylor is one of the greatest safeties in NFL history and deserves to be honored as such. The Washington Commanders are finally going to make sure he gets the respect he deserves after unveiling an shameful tribute to the late legend under the previous regime.
It took two years to get it right but at least they got it right!
Taylor was tragically slain at 24 years old just three years after being drafted No. 5 overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. On November 26, 2007, the former Miami Hurricane was home with his fiancée and their 18-month-old daughter when a group of burglars broke in.
Taylor went to investigate the noises and was shot in the femoral artery, which caused extensive blood loss. He died the following day.
Sunday, November 27, 2022 marked the 15th anniversary of Taylor’s passing. To honor his larger-than-life legacy, Washington planned a series of tributes. Players wore ’21’ decals on their helmets during the game, as the team does every season. The Commanders also dropped “exclusive Sean Taylor merchandise,” which was designed by his daughter Jackie, and all of the proceeds went to gun violence prevention initiatives. Both of those things were great!
In addition, Washington unveiled a “permanent memorial installation” at the stadium. While that may seem like a great thing, because it could have been, the execution was terrible.
First and foremost, the Sean Taylor “installation” looked more like a display at Macy’s or Kohl’s. There were also glaring inaccuracies, including the gloves and uniform. The Commanders blew it.
NFL legend Sean Taylor is finally getting the tribute he deserves!
Washington announced on Saturday that it already took down the memorial installation. In its place, the organization is working closely with Jackie Taylor to build a statue of her father. She is thrilled. It took long enough!
I’m excited to announce along with the Washington Commanders plans to unveil a statue to honor my dad. I’m thankful for Josh Harris and the Commanders family for their continued commitment to keep my dad’s legacy alive. I look forward to sharing plans in the future and learning more about my dad through this process. I’m forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this special fan base. I’m filled with gratitude to know that my dad will forever be a part of the burgundy and gold family.
— Jackie Taylor
The organization owned up to its wrongdoing. However, it is a different ownership group!
Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from well-documented slimeball Dan Snyder in July 2023. He is leading the charge to make right Snyder’s wrong.
After careful consideration, we have decided as an organization to remove the Sean Taylor installation from Commanders Field. We realize that the installation fell short in honoring one of our franchise’s most iconic players. Together with the Taylor family, we are working on a plan, which includes unveiling a statue that will rightfully celebrate the legacy and impact that Sean had on our organization, fanbase and community. The Washington Commanders are committed to honoring our legends in a first-class manner.
— Washington CommandersThere is no set date to unveil the statue. Washington and Jackie will soon meet with the sculptor and they will go for there. Sean Taylor deserved better than an “installation” and he is going to get it. Finally.