Redskins Preseason Without Sean Taylor

Safety Sean Taylor of the Washington Redskins was shot to death by an intruder in his home just before the end of the 2007-2008 football season. His death plunged the team into a deep grief that affected the whole team. The team lost the first game they played after Taylor’s death, but then went on to win four games and get into the playoffs. They lost before making it to the Super Bowl.

Taylor’s memory lives on with his team mates throughout the end of last years season, through the off months and still as they gather in training camp for next season.

There are still reminders of Taylor around the club house; everything is just as he left it in his locker before his death. There is a wooden banner with his number 21 flanking the word Redskins that hangs over new coach Jim Zorn’s office door.

Teammates of Taylor say he was a role model for them and his memory will remain as that role model for years to come. Cornerback Fred Smoot said you can’t get over a loss like this, so you put it out in front of you and you celebrate the man Sean Taylor was.

Safety Reed Doughty moved into Taylor’s’ spot after his death and says it is all the small things about Taylor that he remembers best, like him being able to perform drills perfectly or that little bit extra he always gave. Sean Taylor is sorely missed by the Washington Redskins but as the old saying goes, “the game must go on.”