There were only two possible scenarios for Washington Football Team legend Sean Taylor if he was still alive.
First, he could already be a Pro Football Hall of Fame member after playing a decade in the NFL.
Second, the Florida native could be wrapping up a career worthy of Canton.
Unfortunately, he was gone too soon when burglars who broke into his house murdered him.
He was on the path of being one of the best safeties of all time during his short career.
.@LRiddickESPN on Washington retiring Sean Taylor's number this Sunday:
"It gives you goosebumps. … [Sean Taylor,] I told him, 'You are everything as a player that I wish I could have been.'" pic.twitter.com/Yhg3m9Fk7S
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) October 14, 2021
Taylor was a can’t-miss fixture in the Washington secondary since his first season, wherein he had 76 tackles, two forced fumbles, four interceptions, and one sack.
He became a Pro Bowler in his third year and a second-team All-Pro in what came to be his final year on Earth.
The then 24-year-old became the first deceased player elected to the Pro Bowl.
He finished his career with 299 tackles, 12 interceptions, nine forced fumbles, and two sacks.
Remember as we honor Sean Taylor to never forget those who used opportunity of his shooting to drag his name through mud before his body was even cold. The Cowherds, Feinstein, Wilbon…who felt a young man murdered in his home protecting his family was a “thug” who had it coming.
— Rudy Gersten (@DCBarno) October 15, 2021
His on-field contributions made him worthy of having his No. 21 jersey retired by Washington.
However, the timing is somewhat peculiar, given the situation that the franchise is currently facing.
Why Only Now, Washington?
The announcement of Taylor’s jersey retirement does not make sense for several reasons.
First, it would be more appropriate to retire his jersey in 2007, the year he passed away.
Likewise, his number is somewhat retired anyway because no other Washington player used it after him.
Second, why announce the retirement ceremony days before the actual event?
Sean Taylor gave us one of those most iconic Pro Bowl highlights ever 💥 @ESPNNFL@WashingtonNFL will retire his No. 21 this Sunday.
(via @nflthrowback)pic.twitter.com/2nRdVXQDd8
— ESPN (@espn) October 14, 2021
Planning ceremonies like these take time because of the travel and logistical requirements needed.
Aside from inviting the player being honored and his family, they must bring in his teammates and coaches as well.
Washington Football Team president Jason Wright said that the plan to honor Taylor has been going on for months.
But if that’s the case, they should have announced their plan as soon as they started laying the groundwork.
It’s such a massive undertaking that a week’s notice wouldn’t be enough for preparations.
Could it be that they’re doing this now to divert attention away from the controversial emails that surfaced recently?
Sean Taylor deserves better than being used as a PR shield https://t.co/yiI1BdZhdp
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) October 14, 2021
Jon Gruden already lost his job, but the investigators have barely scratched the surface of over 650,000 messages.
Remember, Gruden sent those emails to then Washington general manager Bruce Allen.
Therefore, the NFL franchise in the nation’s capital isn’t out of the woods yet.
It looks like Washington is diverting the attention away from the issue by pushing through with Taylor’s jersey retirement all of a sudden.
Are they burying the issue at hand because the messages might reveal their true colors?
Or are they covering the blunders of other team executives?
Taylor Is Worthy Of The Recognition
Regardless of timing, Taylor deserves such honoring.
He was the best player at his position during his brief career.
Washington must deliver a program worthy of his stature.
Anything less than excellent is an injustice to his legacy.
Sean Taylor was a human highlight reel on defense 🙌
(via @nflthrowback)pic.twitter.com/VYw8OOrKRp
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 14, 2021
Likewise, the ceremony for Taylor might be the only positive takeaway Washington fans will have in Week 6.
They will be doing the retirement against the Kansas City Chiefs of all opponents.
At least pick a matchup that the current team can win to honor Taylor to the fullest.
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