Football Player Sean Taylor Dead at 24

The NFL is in mourning today. The pro-bowl safety for the Washington Redskins football team, Sean Taylor, passed away early Tuesday morning. Taylor was only 24 years old. Seven hours of surgery were unable to save the young man. Taylor passed away while at the Jackson Memorial Hospital in Florida. Taylor is survived by his family, fiancé, and one year old daughter.

Taylor had been the victim of a gunshot wound to the leg. Police are currently investigating the crime. However, it is widely believed that someone broke into the house as part of a robbery or similar action and shot Taylor in the process. There had been a forced entry into the Taylor household earlier in the month. A robber broke into the house and went through several drawers. A knife was left on Taylor's bed during this incident where no one was hurt. Police are investigation a connection between these two events, but cannot say anything definitive at this time.

The NFL has lost a true superstar today and a better person. Taylor was drafted into the NFL with the fifth overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Washington Redskins. Taylor made the leap to the NFL after a stand out career with the Miami Hurricanes. Taylor received the prestigious award of All-American while playing for the Hurricanes. This is one of college footballs highest honors. His stint with the Hurricanes included a National Championship in 2001. In addition to playing college football in Miami, Taylor played his high school ball in Miami at Gulliver Prep where he turned himself into a prized recruit. Stardom followed Taylor at every level. In the NFL, with the Redskins, Taylor posted phenomenal statistics. In three full years of service and nine games in 2007, Taylor posted an impressive 306 tackles, 248 of which were solo. Taylor had 12 interceptions during his career including 5 this year in a shortened season due to injuries and now his untimely death.

Taylor was just beginning to reach the prime of his career when his life was so brutally taken from him. We will never know what he would have been able to accomplish on the field, and more importantly off the field as a person. This tragic event has people searching for answers. We are left to wonder why this seemingly senseless act of violence occurred. For now we can only wait for the police to release reports. All we can do is mourn this unfortunate loss.