ASHBURN, Va. — Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder’s eyes were red. His voice cracked and was barely audible. Next to him sat coach Joe Gibbs, barely more composed.
Safety Sean Taylor ‘s violent death had left his team in tears and a league in mourning.
“This is a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Snyder said.
Taylor died early Tuesday of a gunshot wound from an apparent intruder, a tragic end for a 24-year-old whose life was transformed by the birth of a daughter 18 months ago.
“We’re going to miss him,” Gibbs said. “I’m not talking about as a player. I’m talking about as a person.”
A day earlier, Taylor and his girlfriend were awakened by loud noises, according to family friend Richard Sharpstein, who learned the details from Taylor’s girlfriend, Jackie Garcia. He said Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection. Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said. Neither Taylor’s daughter, Jackie, nor Taylor’s girlfriend were injured in the attack.
The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor’s leg, causing significant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness, Sharpstein said, and the news that he had squeezed a nurse’s hand late Monday only proved to give false hope.
“Maybe he was trying to say goodbye or something,” Sharpstein said.
Gibbs said he did not know why Taylor returned to Miami during the weekend. Taylor was not required to accompany the team to Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay because of a knee injury.
Police had no description of a possible suspect and were investigating whether the shooting was connected to a break-in at Taylor’s home eight days earlier, in which police said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.
“They’re going to be looking at every angle,” Miami-Dade Police spokesman Alvaro Zabaleta said. “They’re going to be looking at every lead.”
Authorities from Miami-Dade Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were in and out of Taylor’s home throughout the day. Police were seen taking a computer from Taylor’s home.
A stream of family and friends arrived throughout the day, including his father, Florida City police chief Pedro Taylor. Some embraced outside; most came and went without speaking to a horde of several dozen reporters.
“It is with deep regret that a young man had to come to his end so soon,” his father said in a statement on behalf of the family.
“Many of his fans loved him because the way he played football. Many of his opponents feared him the way he approached the game. Others misunderstood him, many appreciated him and his family loved him.”
Back in Virginia, the Redskins struggled to cope and share their loss.
The team plans to have practice today, following a prayer service, in preparation for Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills.
Senseless act
“Sean and I had a special bond. We came into college together, we left for the NFL the same year and were drafted right next to each other. Sean’s future was taken away from him by a senseless act of violence.”
Kellen Winslow Jr., former Miami teammate, now Browns tight end
Terrible tragedy
“This is a terrible tragedy involving the loss of a young man who leaves behind many people struggling to understand it.”
Roger Goodell, NFL commissioner
Sean will be missed
“We really will miss Sean. Over the last two years, I got a chance to really see him grow as a man, off the field. He became very important to me.”
Dan Snyder, Redskins owner
Pain for family
“It’s unfortunate things like these are happening. You’re always a target in this world because you have money and fame. Only thing you can do is have yourself secured as much as possible.”
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Coming together
“All of us here are going to work together, go forward together and I think each person here has to deal with it in his own way. I don’t know how we’ll deal with it, except we’ll all do it together.”
Joe Gibbs, Redskins coach
Special person
“Sean was a great player, but more importantly a special person. When a senseless tragedy like that happens close to home, it really makes you think about the people in your life. This is much bigger than football; life is precious and you are reminded of that every day. I know he is in a better place, and my prayers are with his family.”
Willis McGahee, Ravens running back
Tough situation
“It’s a very, very difficult situation. He was a passionate football player. Celebrate his short life and the passion he had for this game.”
Jeff Fisher, Titans coach
Feel for family
“Your heart goes out to his family. I thought he was a great player and a good person. It’s just sad when you have something like that. It’s shocking to see what happened there.”
Jason Witten, Cowboys tight end
