Sean Taylor
another star fades
2007-11-28
By Patrice Evans

Sometimes it seems there are only two constants: who we are (our
reality), and who we want to be (our potential).  And life is the time
we spend trying to bridge that gap.

Nowhere is the dynamic of reality and potential, nature and
nurture, played out more explicitly than in sports.  We see athletes
who are incredible talents and have been given special gifts, and
then we wait to see how those gifts are nurtured.  To see if they will
ever bridge the gap in the course of their athletic lives.

But this story plays out for everyone.  We all have the skills and
talent to do things we know we can do, and want to do, but for
whatever reason, have yet to make a reality.  And that potential can be
as ambitious as becoming an All Pro safety in the NFL, or simply
reconciling to live a better life, and be a loving
father/brother/friend to the people you care about.  In the case of
Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, it appeared he was reaching
his potential on both fronts.

I've never cried over the passing of an athlete, and maybe I'm still
coming down from <a
href="http://theassimilatednegro.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-does-one-wear-to-
stevie-wonder.html">my
Stevie high</a>, but to read about how this young man, 24, was turning
around his life I couldn't help but shed some tears over his tragic
passing this morning.

There's no question that Taylor's renaissance as a man and football
player is the lead with this story.  MJD at the Fanhouse <a
href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/27/the-debriefing-so-much-is-wa
sted-with-taylors-death-02/">underscores
the point</a>.  Jeffrey Chadiha at ESPN <a
href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&a
mp;id=3129417">taps
into the same stream</a>.  With a fiancee and a year old daughter
teammates and coaches were all in praise of Taylor's newfound
commitment and maturity on and off the field.  And for it to end like
this you just have to shake your head, because there is no sadder
story than someone just getting in position to give all he can to this
world, only to have that opportunity snuffed out just as it was
beginning.

As a lifelong Giants fan who is best friends with a lifelong Redskins
fan I almost feel I knew Sean Taylor intimately.  I remember when my
friend scouted Taylor personally (via the internet) to decide whether
he approved of his drafting (he did), and I remember all the buzz
about him being the next Hall of Fame caliber player at the safety
position.  And while I've never rooted for a Redskins victory, Taylor
was a star in this league, someone you wanted to see make plays.  You
couldn't help but be intrigued by his story, and wonder whether he
would reach his potential and take over as leader of that team.

I liken his role on the team to that of RB Brandon Jacobs on the
Giants.  Our team is led by the name brand of Eli Manning, just as the
face of the Redskins might be Clinton Portis, but I bet most fans
would love to see Brandon Jacobs take over and become the identity of
the team.  Like Taylor, Jacobs is a no holds barred stud whose
physical gifts can't help but leave a lasting impression in any game
you watch.  And like Taylor, Jacobs greatness is only muted by his
inability thus far to properly nurture those talents.  In the case of
Jacobs he can't stay healthy, in the case of Taylor he was held back
by a reckless approach to life and football.  But you can't help but
root for talent like this, and Taylor had seemingly spent the last
couple years putting that immaturity and recklessness behind him.
With a Pro Bowl berth last season, and continued stellar play thus far
in '07, Taylor was on the verge

I hope the NFL affords this passing the proper respect.  Even though
his legacy as a player has been cut short, for all he represented as a
troubled talent that was eventually able to change and grow Taylor
offers a valuable lesson to all of us about appreciating our talents
and the journey of bridging the gap to our potential.

RIP.

<a
href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/11/27/AR2007
112700538_3.html?hpid=topnews">Sean
Taylor Dies in Miami</a> [Washington Post]<a
href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=chadiha_jeffri&a
mp;id=3129417">
Taylor's life was turning around</a> [ESPN]
<a
href="http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/11/27/the-debriefing-so-much-is-wa
sted-with-taylors-death-02/">So
much is wasted with Taylor's death</a> [AOL Fanhouse]