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Posted 12/3/07 10:48PM EST
Thoughts from My Heart Regarding the Death of Sean Taylor
Over the years, the Washington Redskins players, coaches and fans have enjoyed a perpetual and mutual admiration for one another. Throughout the team's history, we have enjoyed old and new stadiums, big wins, big losses, great coaches and superstar players making memorable moments together. Simply put, we have all experienced many great ups and our fair share of downs. I, like many of you, have spent my entire adult life enjoying it all. However, I think that I speak for all of us when I say that what our hearts have felt and our minds have experienced from this incredible tragedy surrounding Sean Taylor's death will forever stand at the top of our minds as the most mind blowing, heart breaking experience in our Redskins history together. It would be an understatement to say that this event has overwhelmingly gripped this team and our fans like no other event has.
Sean Taylor was, in my opinion, the Redskins greatest safety since hall of famer Kenny Houston. I believe that with Sean's speed, size, exceptional instincts and overall athleticism, we were without a doubt looking at the next true Redskins superstar safety.
My own experience with tragedy, and death itself, has convinced me that there are generally three steps to navigating through the grieving process. Our first reaction is our most painful. It is an instantaneous reaction whereby we internalize the deceased person's pain. It's an involuntary response based solely on the victim's behalf. It is the most thoughtless reaction within the grieving process. It is the true essence of our human emotion. Next, we find ourselves pondering the experiences as if we were in their shoes. In thinking about our own mortality we realize that those who are biggest, strongest and smartest among us are still no match for death. Knowing that it is an inevitable reality for us all, hopefully, we become more and more convinced that our only true hope is in God. And finally, in our continued attempt to move on with life, we have to dig into the recesses of our minds to find past similar experiences, as painful as they may be, from which to draw strength and confidence, knowing that by the grace of God this too shall pass.
In this writing, I have tried to honor the life and talents of Sean Taylor. I have tried to remember the rich history of our beloved Redskins and acknowledge the overwhelming outpouring of love, prayer and well wishes that have come forth.
In closing, I would like to encourage all who would care to listen, to examine how you measure the value of all people. Regardless of whether it is a person seen regularly on your television screen, a family member, or just a total stranger, we should make it a practice to allow our hearts, minds and souls to feel the pain of our fellow man and allow our response to be nothing less than a heartfelt response to pray for and support those around us in times like this.
Through it all, it is my hope that we will find a way to see these young athletes in the way that we see our own family and friends. We should remember they are still human, needing love, friendship, fellowship and respect. With that said, I want to commend the people of this community, Dan Snyder and the Redskins organization for demonstrating an outstanding show of love and respect for Sean and his family. It makes me proud to be a part of both. Go Redskins!
I learn[ed] a lot from what Darrell Green wrote in his blog. It has been hard working Redskins football without Sean Taylor. I will be praying for his family and the Redskin players as well.
