clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Washington announces they are retiring Sean Taylor's jersey number on Sunday

Short notice...

2005 NFC Wild Card Playoff Game - Washington Redskins vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers - January 7, 2006 Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Sean Taylor was a legend on the football field and on of the greatest to ever play the safety position. He was a superstar for the Washington Redskins whose presence was always felt on the field. Unfortunately his time was cut short when he was murdered protecting his family during a home invasion in 2007.

Taylor was one of those players that everyone wanted to be like on the field. Kids would wear his number playing football to emulate him. His murder sent shockwaves through the NFL world, and devastated everyone in Redskins Nation. Taylor was a Pro Bowler during his career, and was inducted into the Ring of Fame a year after his death.

Washington has finally decided to retire his number after 14 years. The team wouldn't allow any player to wear #21 since Taylor's death. Ryan Clark wore #21 during practices when he was with the team after talking to Taylor's fiance. Many players wore #36, Taylor's rookie number, and some said they would like to wear #21. That never happened, and now it never will.

Washington will officially retire the jersey number on Sunday when they host the Kansas City Chiefs for their homecoming game at FedEx Field. This event has reportedly been planned for weeks, but was only announced today. This seems like something that would have been announced before the season started, and the timing seems odd especially with Washington's off the field stories making the rounds. But this is an opportunity for fans and the organization to honor the late, great Sean Taylor.