The Death of Sean Taylor, From A Black Man Who Needs To Keep It Real

My Perspective Is What Everyone's Thinking But Just Won't Say

By Jayar Jackson

Even at his funeral, the NFL and the Washington Redskins team are still grappling with the tragic reality that Sean Taylor is dead.

The 4 year star of the league lost the battle for his life after intruders allegedly broke into the house as he and his Latina girlfriend slept around 1:45am. This story takes an interesting turn as everyone learned that Taylor’s house was broken into just over 1 week earlier in which the intruder(s) left a kitchen knife on a bed. With this in mind, Taylor grabbed a machete that he kept under his bed for protection when he was awakened Monday by loud noises.

Now its time to keep it real.

With the haunting images of a knife probably purposefully left on a bed along with the victim looking to defend himself with a machete, there will be speculation that he made some enemies in the past and was targeted for this brutal murder.

Some unconfirmed reports even say that when Taylor’s girlfriend tried to call 911, she discovered that the phone lines were cut, forcing her to use her cell phone to place the call. His 2005 arrest for aggravated assault involving firearms in a dispute over a possible theft of Taylor’s ATVs automatically label him a bad guy to some.

The violent shooting death of Denver Broncos defensive back Darrent Williams on New Year’s morning of this year is one of the first things that come to mind when this case is discussed. Williams was senselessly shot in the neck and killed outside of a Denver nightclub from a drive-by shooter’s gun. Although never involved in any criminal activity, this young player also lost his life while simply celebrating the holiday that everyone else enjoyed that night.

Known for his extremely aggressive tactics on the field, his brashness towards the media, and possession of a machete under his bed, many could believe that Taylor’s perceived character brought the wrong kinds of people to his bedroom door Monday night. Let’s be honest, when professional athletes go out or are seen in public, they are treated like kings; adored by fans but envied by lowlifes that never made anything out of their existence. They are walking dollar signs that could equal an easy and profitable hit for thieves, murderers, or the all too common jealous individual. Many in the hip-hop community refer to them as haters.

Many are big, and physically fit men that don’t feel they have to worry about being muscled or intimidated by the average Joe Schmo off the street. Sadly, with this guard being let down, athletes such as Antoine Walker and Eddy Curry were robbed at gunpoint earlier this year, with Walker facing the barrel of a gun for the second time in his own house. Walker was also robbed outside of a restaurant in 2000.

With this apparent targeting of rich, well-known athletes, what are young, oversized, well-paid men to do? Hire security, don’t leave the house, or try to protect themselves and their family the way any other man would do in America? The constant public relations worry of being seen with a weapon or having an entourage with weapons may discourage many from going that route, in fear of being ousted by the league and by fans. They are easily labeled a ‘bad role model’ or a ‘gang banger’ when these types of stories come out. While there really are bad role models and professional athletes that can’t leave bad company alone, we can’t forget that there are many more that are targeted for simply being who they are. While the football world remembers Sean Taylor and mourns his passing, let’s not forget this bizarre and absolutely threatening scene that played itself out twice in his house and even his bedroom as he slept with his girlfriend of 7 years and daughter of only 18 months. Hold your judgment and place yourself in the shoes of a talented athlete that only just began to stand out on a huge stage requiring patience, dedication, and courage in the face of threats that most 24 year-old men couldn’t begin to handle.

In The Wake Of Sean Taylor's Death, Are Black Men Simply Being Reduced To "Thug Status?"

There was a sad inevitability to the media coverage of NFL star Sean Taylor's murder last week in Miami—Taylor's death resulted from blood loss after a bullet severed his femoral artery. First, there was shock and disbelief—standard for a life cut down in its prime.

Leaving behind a little girl, Taylor was just in his early 20's when his life ceased. On the gridiron, he was already widely feared throughout the NFL as one of its toughest hitters. He will be sorely missed in the Redskins' defensive backfield. Much of that grief, however, failed to gel into consideration of his legacy. Instead, it became a search for Sean Taylor the thug. Within hours of his death, though, cable-news hosts and sports columnists were looking for proof that he was a bad boy who lived and died gangsta.

Taylor did give them some ammo: he skipped a day of the NFL-mandated rookie symposium three years ago and was fined seven times for late hits and uniform infractions. He spat in the face of an opponent during a playoff game, missed a mini-camp and sometimes freelanced outside the defensive scheme—all considered bad form in the image-conscious NFL. Off the field, he was pulled over for a DUI in 2004, but the charges were thrown out.

In 2005, Taylor was arrested for aggravated assault and faced 46 years in jail for waving a gun and beating up the alleged thieves of his ATVs. He pleaded no contest to reduced charges, and was sentenced to 18 months probation. His SUV was later shot 15 times in a drive-by. These events indicate that Taylor was far from an angel. But do they mean he was a menace to society destined to die bloody?

Newsweek gets deeper on this issue family. Check it out>>>

Sean Taylor's Funeral Brings Out Jesse Jackson, Actor Andy Garcia, And A Who's Who Of Sports Icons And Fans

Filling a university arena for slained Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor, thousands flocked to Miami today to mourn and celebrate another Black man falling victim to senseless violence. (Click here to watch funeral). The memorial comes a week after Taylor was shot in his home and days after four Black men were charged with killing the 24-year-old African American baller during the robbery. New reports are indicating that there is also fifth suspect involved.

Commissioner Roger Goodell said it had been a “sad week” for the NFL family. “It’s times like this that all of us struggle to find meaning in life,” Goodell told the mourners. “The NFL was proud of Sean Taylor... He loved football and football loved him back. But more importantly, it was what he was as a man and what he was becoming as a man.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson stood with the athlete’s father, Florida City police Chief Pedro Taylor, as they arrived earlier. Actor Andy Garcia was also there. His niece, Jackie Garcia, was Taylor’s girlfriend and was in the home when he was shot. Former Hurricanes coaches Larry Coker and Butch Davis sat in the front row, along with current coach Randy Shannon. The Redskins organization filled one section of the building.

As reported by MSNBC, Taylor’s casket was surrounded by bouquets, while the video display showed Taylor from his days with the Redskins, Miami Hurricanes and high school. Remembrances began Sunday, as throngs of fans paid respects at a wake at Second Baptist Church and at a vigil at the University of Miami.

Sean Taylor Murder Arrest Made, They Knew Him But Not Like You Think!

We now have the names and ages of the killers of Sean Taylor. I guess in the fairness of justice I should say the "alleged" killers or "suspects".

The individuals are young, Black (sigh!) and yes, they knew Sean and different members of the Taylor family. But not the way many of you think it happened. It wasn't a "hit", a contract killing like many had rumored.

What threw you conspiracy folks off was the fact that all the evidence led us to say that the individuals knew Sean. And yes you were right.

But you "wanna be' CSI-ers" needed to put the amateurism of the first home invasion/burglary, the one where Sean and his fiance found a knife on the bed from a previous break in. You also didn't put the Goldilocks twist to all of this; Sean and family were not suppose to be in the Florida house at this time. They normally would have been up in DC where Redskin Team doctors could keep and eye on his mending knee. Tailors came down to the Florida house to see a specialist. So like in Goldilocks (Dreadlocks in my house), the Tailor Florida house was suppose to be empty.

The bullet hit Sean in the leg near his groin area. Many, including you Sports Commentator Stephen A. Smith of ESPN, said that Sean was the mark of a vendetta and someone trying to make a point. Well after reading how old these guys were, you'll see these guys were inexperienced and just bad shots. There is an AP reporter, Lisa Orkin Emanuels, on the scene and reports the following.

The family of slain Washington Redskins star Sean Taylor will get little comfort from the arrest of four suspects, a family friend said, particularly since it appears the killing happened because of greed."They targeted him for his wealth," said Richard Sharpstein, Taylor's former attorney. "It makes his death even more pathetic, unnecessary and just actually disgusting."

Police arrested four people Friday in connection with Taylor's shooting death, saying they went to the home intent on committing a burglary, not killing.

The suspects didn't expect Taylor to be there, said Miami-Dade County police Director Robert Parker, but the Redskins safety was recuperating from a knee injury and had returned from Washington. When Taylor surprised them, he was shot.

"They were certainly not looking to go there and kill anyone," Parker said. "They were expecting a residence that was not occupied. So murder or shooting someone was not their initial motive."

Police spokeswoman Linda O'Brien identified the suspects as: Venjah K. Hunte, 20; Eric Rivera Jr., 17; Jason Scott Mitchell, 19; and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18. O'Brien said the charges for each had not yet been determined, but "we are talking murder and burglary."

Authorities had more than one confession, but Parker would not elaborate.

The four were arrested Friday in southwest Florida, about 100 miles from Miami. They will be booked into the Lee County Jail and eventually will be returned to Miami, O'Brien said. She did not have any information on when they would appear in court, their hometowns or if they had attorneys.

Sharpstein had not spoken with Taylor's family regarding Friday's arrests, but said he doubted they provided any comfort.

"I know they are just saddened and appalled. The fact that they arrested his killer is no comfort to them," he said. "It probably inflames them more, because it tells them people were trying to steal from him.

"They are murderers. They should be treated like murderers and put in the Miami River and floated away."

The 24-year-old Pro Bowl safety died Tuesday, one day after being shot at his home in an affluent Miami suburb during what officials said appeared to be an attempted burglary.

Police have been investigating a possible link to a Nov. 17 break-in at Taylor's home, during which they said someone pried open a front window, rifled through drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

"We're looking into whether or not one or more of the individuals had been at the residence before," Parker said.

The Miami Herald reported on its Web site that Mitchell and Wardlow had connections to Taylor. Mitchell cut Taylor's lawn and did other chores at the house, Mitchell's twin brother, Scottie, told the paper. Taylor's sister, Sasha Johnson, dates Wardlow's older cousin Christopher, and Scottie Mitchell told the paper the couple invited Jason Mitchell to Johnson's birthday party within the past two months.

A woman who identified herself as Jason Mitchell's mother told the Naples Daily News her son was at a birthday party at Sean Taylor's home a couple months ago. She also said her son was at home all week and last weekend.

"I don't know where he's at, I don't know why he's being held," she told the Naples paper. "No parent should see this happen to their child."

O'Brien would not confirm the reports when contacted by The Associated Press.

Taylor and longtime girlfriend, Jackie Garcia, were awakened early Monday by loud noises at Taylor's home in an affluent Miami suburb. Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection, Sharpstein said. Someone broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor in the upper leg. Neither the couple's 18-month-old daughter, also named Jackie, nor Garcia were injured.

The bullet damaged the femoral artery in Taylor's leg, causing significant blood loss. Taylor never regained consciousness and died a little more than 24 hours later.

A public viewing for Taylor is scheduled Sunday in Miami, and the entire Redskins organization plans to fly to Florida to attend Monday's funeral at Pharmed Arena at Florida International University.

The Redskins also announced that fans attending Sunday's game will receive a towel with Taylor's No. 21 jersey on it, and his name will be displayed prominently in an end zone.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder said the team will contribute a minimum of $500,000 to a fund to benefit Taylor's daughter, and he released a statement late Friday acknowledging the arrests.

"This is another step, but not a conclusion, in a very personal and painful tragedy," he said. "I also want to thank everyone who has joined us in mourning the loss of Sean. People from all over the world contacted the Redskins to share our grief and offer their prayers for Sean and his family. We will never forget the courage his family, especially Jackie, Pete and Donna, have shown. Their composure has been a source of strength for us all."
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Associated Press Writer Brian Skoloff in West Palm Beach, Damian Grass in Miami, and AP Sports Writer Joseph White in Ashburn, Va., contributed to this report.

Murder Of Redskins Baller Sean Taylor: Possible Suspects In Custody Include Teens & A Man In His 20's

(Taylor with the biracial baby girl who'll never know her father)

BREAKING NEWS: The Miami Herald is reporting that police have detained at least three people in the Fort Myers area for questioning in the death of Washington Redskins football star Sean Taylor.

A law enforcement official in Lee County confirmed the men from the Fort Myers area were in custody, but requested anonymity because the investigation is being handled by Miami-Dade County police.

The Miami Herald, which first reported the development on its Web site, said investigators believe three suspects learned of Taylor’s house through someone who unwittingly set up the burglary by bragging about his wealth. The suspects include two teenagers and a man in his 20s, all from the Fort Myers area, the paper reported.

Is Talylor's Death A Sad Reminder For Us All?

Richard Sharpstein, a former Taylor lawyer and family friend, said: “It looks like the police are pursuing extremely good leads. It appears that the burglary was exactly as I’ve always stated, not random, that Sean’s house was targeted.” Evidence at Taylor’s home indicated one or more intruders barged into the house early Monday in an attempted burglary, Miami-Dade police director Robert Parker said Wednesday. After a confrontation inside the home, Taylor was shot once in the upper leg and died early Tuesday after losing a tremendous amount of blood.

Taylor’s family has scheduled a funeral service for 11 a.m. Monday at Pharmed Arena at Florida International University in Miami.

Sean Taylor Death: This Was A Hit And The Real Story Needs To Be Told

Was Taylor Another Athlete Who Was

A Victim Of Black On Black Crime?

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor has died a day after he was shot and wounded in his Miami home. Knowing how rabid and die-hard Redskins fans are, this has to be devastating for family in the DC area. The 24-year-old African American baller and father of a 1-year-old girl never regained consciousness after being taken to a hospital in what was clearly an orchestrated effort to take the brotha out.

"Sean was awakened with his girlfriend and 18-month old baby," said his former attorney Richard Sharpstein. There were "noises, thumps in the living room." Taylor "got up and locked the bedroom door. Before he could do anything, the door was kicked in and two shots were fired -- one hit him in the leg, one went into the wall." Taylor "was on the floor, nonresponsive, bleeding out and chest heaving, eyes rolled back and he was pretty much gone from that point on," Sharpstein said.

Sharpstein told CNN that the 24-year-old football player was shot Monday during a home invasion and died later at a hospital. "The blood loss was too much. He didn't make it," Sharpstein told CNN. "He did supposedly squeeze a nurse's hand. I wasn't there," said Sharpstein. "But obviously that was either some kind of response or muscle reaction and not
He never regained consciousness after the shooting, Sharpstein said. "It's a senseless, tragic death that was so unnecessary, another example of the incessant violence in -- not only our community -- but the country now." Watch Sharpstein describe Taylor's death »

At 1:45 a.m. Monday, a woman identified as Taylor's girlfriend called 911 and said someone had been shot. Taylor was airlifted to Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital. Sharpstein said the NFL safety's girlfriend -- who said she was hiding under bedcovers during the attack -- has described the shooting to police. Taylor's girlfriend "tried to call 911 and it's unclear whether the phone lines were cut or the phone was broken or off or unplugged or turned off," said Sharpstein. "She had to use her cell."

"Whether this was a purposeful action in taking Sean's life or in shooting him or whether it was a burglary gone awry, the police are still investigating those circumstances," Sharpstein said. Taylor's home also was reported broken into eight days earlier on November 18, according to Miami-Dade police.

Someone forced open a window and left a kitchen knife on a bed, according to the police report. Several drawers and a bedroom safe had been searched during the break-in, the report said. No one knows whether the first invasion is related to Monday's attack, Sharpstein said. According to the police report, Taylor's mother reported the break-in, saying it occurred while the house was empty between Saturday evening and Sunday evening. Police found a window pried open, but could not confirm if anything was missing.

Taylor was arrested in 2005 after he was accused of waiving a gun at people he believed were stealing his all-terrain vehicles, according to Sharpstein. "He got into fisticuffs, but no gun," Sharpstein said. After originally being charged with aggravated assault, Taylor pleaded to a misdemeanor battery in the case, Sharpstein said. A civil suit stemming from the case remains open. "There's still a lot of open ends to that," he said.

Taylor spent four years with the Redskins, but had been out with a sprained right knee.
Redskins coach Joe Gibbs called the incident a "tragedy" and said neither he nor the team had "experienced anything like this."

Taylor was a first-round pick in the 2004 draft. He played at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003, and was also a high school standout in the city, according to The Associated Press. His father, Pedro Taylor, is the police chief of Florida City, Florida, AP reports. Taylor was described as personable and smart and an emerging locker room leader, since the birth of his daughter Jackie, according to AP.

"From the first day I met him, from then to now, it's just like night and day," Redskins receiver James Thrash told AP. "He's really got his head on his shoulders and has been doing really well as far as just being a man. It's been awesome to see that growth." [Source]