Tag: Sean Taylor

Commanders alter Sean Taylor memorial ahead of Sunday Night Football

The Commanders made some adjustments to the Sean Taylor memorial ahead of Week 15.

Three weeks ago before the Washington Commanders hosted the Atlanta Falcons, the franchise honored legendary safety Sean Taylor with a memorial at FedEx Field.

It didn’t go over too well with some.

There were plenty of reactions, many not good, claiming the Taylor memorial looked like a mannequin and was certainly not a statue. In fairness to Washington, the organization never promised a statue. That was assumed in the media.

Taylor’s family, including his daughter Jackie, were involved throughout the process and happy with the results.

However, that didn’t stop the Commanders from making some adjustments to the Taylor memorial ahead of the Week 15 edition of Sunday Night Football.

Peter Hailey of NBC Sports Washington shared an updated picture of the Taylor memorial on Twitter Sunday, noting some of the changes.

Washington applying tape to the face mask and changing the socks are a more accurate reflection of Taylor. The jersey move was correct, too, as Taylor only wore the Reebok jersey during his four NFL seasons. Nike didn’t become the official supplier of NFL jerseys until 2012.

 

How did we think it was going to be a Sean Taylor statue?

The Commanders never said there would be a statue, only a Sean Taylor Memorial. And Taylor’s family was happy.

“How did we all get it so wrong?”

That’s what I found myself thinking yesterday, only a few short moments after the unveiling of the Sean Taylor Memorial.

When the Sean Taylor memorial was unveiled, I was quite shocked. I waited a few moments, was preparing some lunch and I asked if the team had used the word “statue?”

I wondered if the team had led us on to believe it was a statue.  As the game was beginning, I even tweeted asking,

But then I thought, “Why would Jason Wright knowingly deceive the fan base?” Why would Wright open himself to such valid criticism and the questioning of his being honest with the fan base? There had to be another explanation, but now the game had started.

So, last night late, I began to look through some communication regarding the Sean Taylor memorial.

First of all, yesterday’s responses by the fan base, local and national sports media were very unfavorable to the Sean Taylor memorial, not being a statue. There was much ridicule of the organization, even mocking the “statue” that was actually a mannequin.

The tone and content revealed that most of us following this event did understand it was going to be a Sean Taylor statue. But how? How did we all come to such a wrong conclusion?

I looked to find the Commanders official release and here is how it read:

“Headlining the day, the team will reveal the Sean Taylor Memorial installation pregame at 11:45 a.m. on the main concourse outside of section 132. This reveal is the culmination of the Sean Taylor Memorial Project, launched on Sean’s birthday earlier this year that provided fans an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most beloved players in franchise history.”

In defense of the Commanders, their statement on November 22 does not say it will be a statue, saying only “the Sean Taylor Memorial installation”. Yet here is what I found. At 2:58 p.m. JP Finlay inserts “statue.”

Now, do I think JP intentionally wanted to mislead everyone in the DMV? Not at all. Not in the least. This is a prime example of how communication now travels at break-neck speed in our era. When we assume something and convey it to the masses, it’s out there because many are quickly going to repeat it, thinking it is true.

John Keim was tweeting the news next at 3:35 p.m. again stating a “statue.” From there the floodgates opened. Ari Meirov at 4:03 p.m., We here at Commanders Wire at 4:25 p.m., NBC Sports Commanders at 6:04 p.m., you get the point.

No telling how many hundreds or thousands of times over the next five days leading up to the game it was repeated on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Lesson to be learned?

Keep in mind you are almost always reading, listening to secondary sources. Go back and check the original source. In this case, it was the Washington Commanders themselves under Jason Wright’s leadership. In their defense, they did not publicly state or mislead any of us that it was going to be a Sean Taylor “statue.”

 

PHOTOS: The top images from the Commanders’ 19-13 win over the Falcons in Week 12

A look back at some of the best images from Washington’s win over the Falcons.

The Washington Commanders are riding high after Sunday’s 19-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Commanders improved to 7-5 and now hold the NFC’s final playoff spot.

As with most Washington wins, it wasn’t pretty, and considering the conditions Sunday at FedEx Field, the Commanders would have to grind out a win in the rain against a tough Falcons squad.

That’s what happened as rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for a career-high 105 yards and also caught a touchdown pass. Robinson’s power was on full display Sunday, bowling over multiple Atlanta defenders on two separate occasions.

Afterward, Robinson celebrated by wearing the biggest you’ve ever seen.

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke completed 14 of 23 passing attempts for 138 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. However, it was the defense that would seal the game for the Commanders.

Defensive tackle Daron Payne deflected a Marcus Mariota pass into the waiting hands of cornerback Kendall Fuller who made a tremendous catch in the end zone to give Washington its sixth win in seven games.

Before the game, Washington honored legendary safety Sean Taylor with a memorial.

Here are some of the top images from Sunday’s win over the Falcons.

Commanders criticized for Sean Taylor memorial

We look at some of the reactions to Sean Taylor’s memorial, including from those that mattered most: his family.

Even during a Washington Commanders’ win, there always seems to be some controversy.

This time it didn’t involve owner Daniel Snyder — or anything that happened on the field.

Instead, criticism surrounded the memorial for team legend Sean Taylor. Taylor, who was tragically killed in his own home by intruders in 2007. Taylor’s jersey was retired last season. Remember the controversy surrounding that debacle?

Before Sunday’s game, Washington planned to unveil a memorial at FedEx Field of Taylor, with many of his family members, including his daughter Jackie, in attendance. In addition, the team, in cooperation with Jackie, created the Sean Taylor Legacy Project merchandise line with proceeds to benefit gun violence prevention initiatives.

So, back to the memorial, well, it wasn’t as planned and left many thinking, “why do they screw everything up?”

In fairness to the Commanders, they never promised a statue, only a memorial. And the memorial can be moved when Washington lands a new stadium. Most took it as the team was building a statue and the outcome was far different than expected.

Something to note here, Taylor’s family was involved throughout the process, so if they’re happy, does it matter what anyone else thinks?

Regardless, the unveiling received some strong reactions from around social media. We start with the most important reaction from Sean Taylor’s daughter, Jackie.

Sean Taylor ‘memorial’ yet another embarrassment for Washington Commanders

The Washington Commanders had months to get their Sean Taylor memorial right. Sadly, the franchise that can’t get anything right did it again.

Back in June, the Washington Commanders announced a “permanent installation” memorial to Sean Taylor, the great safety who played for the franchise from 2004 through 2007. Taylor died on November 27, 2007, after he was shot by a home intruder. A two-time Pro Bowler, Taylor was widely and rightly regarded as one of the greatest young defensive players in his brief era.

So, on June 6, 2022, the Commanders announced this:

When the team unveiled the “memorial” before their game with the Falcons, it was not what anybody really expected. More a sporting goods store mannequin with a hastily-assembled uniform than a more traditional memorial, the gesture seemed to be yet another embarrassment for a franchise that has had all too many of them of late.

LOOK: Commanders unveil Sean Taylor memorial ahead of Week 12 game

The Commanders unveiled a memorial of the legendary safety ahead of Sunday’s game.

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The Washington Commanders honored legendary safety Sean Taylor with a statue ahead of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons from FedEx Field.

Here’s the video of the unveiling courtesy of Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post.

As Jhabvala noted, the statue can be moved to Washington’s new stadium, wherever that may be in the near future.

Taylor’s family was on hand for the occasion, including his daughter Jackie, as they paid a visit to his preserved locker at FedEx Field on Sunday morning.

Also announced last week was the debut of the new Sean Taylor Legacy Project merchandise, which went on sale at the team store at FedEx Field and online at 11 a.m. ET. All of the proceeds will benefit gun violence prevention initiatives.

Here’s another look at the Taylor statue from the team, with pictures of daughter Jackie, his father Pedro and other family members.

What do you think, Washington fans?

Commanders to unveil Sean Taylor statue outside FedEx Field on Sunday

The Commanders will honor legendary safety Sean Taylor Sunday.

The Washington Commanders will honor late safety Sean Taylor Sunday at FedEx Field, 15 years to the day of his tragic death, the team announced on Tuesday.

Washington plays the Atlanta Falcons at 1:00 p.m. ET Sunday. At 11:45 a.m., the team will unveil the Sean Taylor Memorial. Washington will also launch the limited-edition Sean Taylor Legacy Project merchandise, and all Commanders’ players will wear No. 21 decals on their helmets.

Here is a release from the team.

Headlining the day, the team will reveal the Sean Taylor Memorial installation pregame at 11:45 a.m. on the main concourse outside of section 132. This reveal is the culmination of the Sean Taylor Memorial Project, launched on Sean’s birthday earlier this year that provided fans an opportunity to pay tribute to one of the most beloved players in franchise history. Sunday also will mark the official launch of the Sean Taylor Legacy Project limited-edition merchandise line that was designed and inspired by Sean Taylor’s daughter, Jackie Taylor. The collection includes a jersey, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and hats. The line will be available at the Commanders Team Store, A Fanatics Experience at FedExField, as well as online by visiting store.commanders.com. All proceeds from this merchandise launch will benefit gun violence prevention initiatives.

“Sean’s life was tragically cut short but his impact continues to reverberate through our Burgundy & Gold family,” said Washington Co-Owners and Co-CEOs Dan and Tanya Snyder. “This Sunday, on the 15th anniversary of his passing, we honor one of our greats and his legacy by unveiling a permanent installation, so his memory is always with us when we take the field on gameday.”

Taylor’s jersey was retired last season. Taylor’s No. 21 jersey is the third in franchise history to be retired, following Sammy Baugh’s No. 33 and Bobby Mitchell’s No. 49. Other numbers are not in use but not retired.

Taylor was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Late in his fourth season, Taylor was home in Miami while injured when intruders broke into his shot, shooting him. He died the following day.

Taylor was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and was on his way to a legendary career with Washington. He remains one of the most popular players in franchise history and has inspired many of today’s safeties, such as former Washington safety Landon Collins.

 

The Pro Bowl may be gone, but Sean Taylor’s hit on Brian Moorman will live forever

Fifteen years ago, the late Sean Taylor nearly decapitated a punter.

The NFL finally did away with the Pro Bowl game, it was announced Monday, confirming something I had long suspected, that the game just wasn’t as good or interesting as it used to be.

It’s not that the players I grew up watching ever went full throttle in the Pro Bowl, but it wasn’t the joke of a football game it’s been over the last decade or so. A part of me had wondered if I simply aged out of a demographic that actually cared about the game, that maybe the kids were still watching. But the NFL’s decision to convert the game into a week of skills competitions tells me that demographic doesn’t exist.

With the Pro Bowl now a thing of the past, I’m left with one awesome memory to remind me of a time when I did watch and enjoy. You already know what I’m talking about, because it’s probably your last great memory too — maybe even your only memory from the game. It’s the late great Sean Taylor’s hit on punter Brian Moorman.

My favorite part about the play is the collective “oooooooo” from the crowd and announcer, and all of us at home too. Taylor isn’t even in the picture for the majority of the play, then he comes from out of nowhere to flatten a punter. It’s just something you don’t expect to see. Not even in a regular season game. I’m not sure Moorman would’ve made the first down anyway, but Taylor made sure he definitely didn’t get it. The way Moorman laid on the ground suggests he wasn’t sure if his body was still in tact.

To put the hit in context, this was the 2007 Pro Bowl. Fifteen years later, and nothing has topped it as the greatest Pro Bowl highlight ever. Unless they revive the game sometime in the future, nothing ever will.

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Commanders select defensive star in NFL.com’s expert live mock draft

Will Kyle Hamilton make it out of the top 10?

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Throughout the offseason, we’ve been under the assumption the Washington Commanders would go with an offensive player with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.

However, recent reports have some believing Washington would have difficulty passing up Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton if he were to slip outside of the top 10. Once Washington traded for quarterback Carson Wentz, many penciled in a wide receiver for the Commanders.

Not so fast.

In a new NFL.com expert live mock draft in which Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, Colleen Wolfe and Rhett Lewis take turns making picks for making selections, Brooks makes the pick for Washington at No. 11.

His pick? Hamilton.

Wolfe asked Brooks if he was going to go wide receiver for Wentz, and Brooks cracked:

“Wide receiver, oh no, I’m not sure if he (Wentz) would hit him anyway,” he answered. Ouch.

“I am going to go and get someone on defense because we got to make sure we gotta play great defense. Let’s go Kyle Hamilton. He was outside the top 10, I am at No. 11, so I am going to take him. Remember, this is a guy who always wanted to be Sean Taylor coming up. He doesn’t necessarily give them exactly what Sean Taylor did, but he certainly will be the best safety we’ve seen play there in years. Jack Del Rio, Ron Rivera have a lot of fun finding ways to keep Kyle Hamilton in the mix.”

We’ve certainly heard plenty of young safeties say they want to be the next Taylor. No one is the next Taylor. However, Hamilton is arguably the best safety prospect coming out in years and could be a dynamic defensive weapon if Washington coaches employ him properly.

Remembering Washington great Sean Taylor on his birthday

Remembering the legendary Sean Taylor on what would’ve been his 39th birthday.

Legendary former Washington safety Sean Taylor would have turned 39 years old on April 1.

Every year, April 1 is an important day for Washington football fans. Whether the franchise is called the Redskins, Football Team, or Commanders, one thing all present and former Washington fans can agree on is honoring the star football player who was taken from the world far too soon.

Taylor was shot in his home protecting his family on Nov. 26, 2007, and died one day later.

Through his four seasons in the NFL, Taylor started all 55 games he played in, recording 299 tackles, 12 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and two sacks. Taylor was named to the Pro Bowl twice and was a second-team All-Pro in 2007.

Taylor was named one of the franchise’s 80 greatest players, is in the Ring of Fame and had his No. 21 jersey retired last season. Taylor is one of only three players to have their jerseys officially retired, joining Sammy Baugh and Bobby Mitchell.

The Washington Commanders honored Taylor with tributes from fans and former teammates on Friday. Fans and media members took to Twitter to remember Taylor.

You can head over to commandlegacy.com to submit your favorite Taylor story.

Here are a few of the tributes and remembrances across Twitter Friday.