The Washington franchise and NFL fans, in general, were robbed when Sean Taylor was tragically murdered in 2007. Over the years, the team has found ways to honor Taylor.
Taylor’s family also continues to honor him.
First, it was Sean Taylor’s younger brother who honored the late Washington legend. Gabe Taylor, Sean’s younger brother, is a senior safety at Rice University and has worn his older brother’s old No. 26 college jersey throughout his career. In 2021, on the 14th anniversary of his older brother’s death, Gabe Taylor helped Rice seal a victory over Louisiana Tech with a late interception.
Now, it’s Jackie Taylor’s turn. Jackie is Sean Taylor’s only child and was only 18 months old when she lost her father.
In 2023, Jackie Taylor committed to the University of North Carolina on a volleyball scholarship. She will be a freshman this fall. On Thursday, the Tar Heels revealed Jackie’s number.
Check it out:
Like father, like daughter 🤝
Freshman Jackie Taylor will wear No. 21 as a Tar Heel, honoring her dad, Sean Taylor 💙 2️⃣1️⃣ 💙
📸: Seattle Times#GoHeels pic.twitter.com/HTQBwozTvb
— Carolina Volleyball (@UNCVolleyball) June 27, 2024
Jackie is a 6-foot-1 middle blocker who played at her father’s alma mater, Gulliver Prep, in Miami, Fla. She continues to honor her father with the Sean Taylor Legacy Project.
Washington retired Taylor’s No. 21 jersey in 2021 and unveiled a memorial outside the team’s stadium in 2022.
I know fans are not happy with the Sean Taylor Memorial.
His family is happy though, that's all that matters.
This is Sean's daughter, Jackie.
Listen to her words, watch the emotion…this was a tough day for the entire Taylor family. pic.twitter.com/8aJdUCJdwv
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) November 27, 2022