Sean Taylor Dies: Details and Reaction

Redskins Safety Dies in Miami Hospital Where He Was Taken After Being Shot By Intruder at His Home

Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor died early Tuesday from the gunshot wound he suffered a day earlier in his Miami home.

Washington Post staff writer and Redskins Insider blogger Jason La Canfora will be online Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 1 p.m. ET to discuss the latest details about his death and reaction from the team, the NFL and the public.

A transcript follows.

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Jason La Canfora: Hello everyone. Sorry we are doing this under these circumstances. This is horrible for everyone. I hope I can get through the entire hour but I may have to go at any point should I get certain phone calls or should Joe Gibbs or Dan Snyder come out to address the media, I'll have to run.
Hope you understand and sorry for that up front.

Okay, guess I'll get started.

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Odenton, Md.: Why hasn't the NFL commissioner said anything about Sean's death? Will the Bills/'Skins game go on as planned?

Jason La Canfora: I left repeated messages with the NFL and I am awaiting word back both on any statment from the Commish and also confirmation that the game will still be at Sunday 1 pm
As soon as I hear anything I will post it on the blog - Redskins Insider.

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Miami: Yes he was a great football player. Yes this is tragic. But let's not behave like we have witnessed the assassination of Mother Theresa! Does ANYONE remember that this guy was fined $17,000 by the NFL for SPITTING on a player during a game? Not exactly a role model. I hope the media doesn't go overboard with its coverage of this. He is not a saint.

Jason La Canfora: No one is a saint.
Some people have already said it was terrible that the Post included some of Sean's back story in the coverage yesterday. Others will say we did not include enough.

I am rolling with my editors on this story and taking my cues from them, as this is very delicate and they are the decision makers and I am the person who follows orders on this chain of command.

I can assure you they are trying to be fair and balanced to all concerns.

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Buffalo, N.Y.: Sean Taylor seemed to be the most common favorite player amongst fans. Would you say he was one of the most liked players amongst the current 'Skins players? And how is the organization going to move on in the near- and long-term? It is all so very sad.

Jason La Canfora: Sean definitely became more of a leader and let his teammates into his life more the last few years.
And whether he was wearing No. 36 or No. 21, I saw a ton of ST jerseys all over the place at training camp and at FedEx.
Definitely a fan favorite.

As to how they move on, man, no easy answer for that. Replacing Sean in the short and long term is impossible. We'll never know what kind of man Sean may have turned into, and we'll never know what kind of tandem Landry and Taylor would have made, but this defense was built around them and with the idea they would form its identity for a long, long time.

With Carlos Rogers probably not going to be ready for the start of next season recovering from knee surgery, and Shawn Springs contract getting huge, they are going to have some major hurdles to overcome in the secondary now.

The whole thing is just awful. Feels weird to even be breaking this stuff down but I guess it comes with the job at this point.

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Woodbridge, Va.: I am just SO saddened and feel helpless as a lifelong fan, as most Redskins fans feel right now. I know this isn't the right time, but my hope is that they retire his number immediately as a memorial for him. Any thoughts on that?

RIP Sean Taylor. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Jason La Canfora: Just heard the NFL is going to honor at all stadiums this weekend, and I would not be surprised if Sean is in the Ring of Honor at some point.

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Bowie, Md.: Jason,

Do you think fans can cheer during the game and tailgate the same way on Sunday after this tragedy?

Jason La Canfora: I think it is going to be a strange, compromised day for everyone there, full of conflicting emotions and sad memories.

Can't really predict exactly what it will be like, but definitely unusual for sure.

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Alexandria, Va.: In the history of the NFL, has a team ever lost a player during the season and played the next game?

Jason La Canfora: I believe the last time something like this happened in-season was 1971, when a player died during a game from cardiac arrest.

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Redwood City, Calif. (D.C. Native): Has there been any talk of a connection between the person who murdered Sean and the event with the ATVs a couple years ago?

I can't even believe I'm writing this, by the way. I wonder if everyone else is as angry as I am.

Jason La Canfora: The authorities will certainly be investigating such a link and Sean's lawyer told me that he turned over a ton of his files on that case over to the police this week.

From what we know of the attack right now, it certainly does not seem random in nature, and Vinny Cerrato said it looked like a deliberate attack himself.

I would have to think they will looking deeply into any connections between those people Sean had the conflict with in 2005, and this present attack.

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Jason La Canfora: Sorry for the delay.
Jason Campbell just gave a statement, then, like most teammates, began to break down.

He called Sean "a great friend" and compared him to a family member.
"I wish everyone had the opportunity to get to know him. You sit down and talk to Sean one-on-one, and he's a great person."

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Rockville, Md..: Jason,

I was watching television this morning with my 2-year old daughter before taking her to daycare. I saw that Sean had died and I was left deeply saddened, not for missing his football prowess on the field, but for his little girl. I looked at mine and hugged her tighter than I ever have. Tragedies like this just makes all the issues we face seem so benign and pointless. It does however make me embrace my beloved Redskins on a level I have never attained in my 30 years of life. I'll root for them as humans far more than a football team now.

Jason La Canfora: I feel you. I was up very late and up again very early working on this story, but I had the chance to eat breakfast with my son and daughter between posting on the blog and rushing out to Redskins Park and I definitely hugged them both a little tighter and it was impossible not to think about those parents and children who have to cope with a loss like this, no matter the circumstances.

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Centreville, Md.: When will Gibbs address the media?

Jason La Canfora: Perhaps at 2 pm.
that was the plan but things are kind of up in the air in a situation like this.

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Bogota, Colombia: I'm just as heartbroken as everyone else. But I'm also wondering, what happens to his contract? Are these things guaranteed by insurance? There's talk of setting up a fund for his daughter but I imagine she will have a significant amount of money coming her way no matter what given the way signing bonuses constitute the majority of contracts these days.

Also, what are the salary cap implications?

Jason La Canfora: I have received a bunch of these questions and had a conversation with my editor about an hour ago about when it's cool to begin dealing with these cruel realities.

I will post all of this kind of stuff on my blog tonight with a disclaimer letting anyone know up front what's coming. So if it's not your cup of tea, you don't have to read it, but it's also something that I am obligated to deal with as part of my job.

I'll say this for now, the cap him is nominal by Redskins standards, and for the details, check the blog tonight.
Hope that explanation makes sense.
Thanks.

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San Francisco: What a sad, senseless waste of a life. I know the Redskins are all devastated ... we fans certainly are. How are YOU and the other beat writers holding up with this? How are you dealing with it?

Jason La Canfora: Thanks for the concern, but don't worry about us. This is definitely sad and emotion for everyone out here, but those grieving for Sean are the people who I feel for.

I had a respect for a lot of things about Sean and we shared some chit chat from time to time and had an in depth conversation about former Redskins Antonio Brown, who grew up in Miami like Sean, two years ago, but he was not into speaking to the media much, which I understood. It's not for everybody.

I feel bad for all of the lives touched by this and his teammates and coaches and family.

It's a horrible thing to cover and my second time through this kind of a story, but it comes with the territory unfortantely when you cover sports in America in this day and age.

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Mclean, Va.: Why is the media mostly using the word "shooting" and not calling this what it was, a "murder"?

Jason La Canfora: Up until this morning you could not call it a murder. Now it is being investigated as a homicide so from here on out I imagine everyone will be calling it a murder.

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Pasadena, Md.: I wanted to comment on how the community has shown their love and respect for Sean and the Redskins in this time of sorrow. It's truly a testament to Redskins fans around the globe that it's so much more about a team, a brotherhood, a love for the Burgundy and Gold than it is about football. RIP Sean.

Jason La Canfora: Not much to add. Just figured this was a sentiment worth sharing.

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Taylor Fan, Va.: Any word from the police department yet?

Have any of Taylor's family in Miami released any statements?

Will there be a memorial service of any kind in the D.C. area, open to the public?

Jason La Canfora: The Redskins are having memorials at FedEx and Redskins Park. details are on the blog.

The PD is not saying much.

I received an email from Pedro Taylor hours ago but I was trying to get confirmation that it was not a hoax before posting it. Will post it on the blog as soon as I get a spare second.

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Sam, Colo.: Is there going to be any sort of ceremony before the game on Sunday and are there any plans to set up a memorial fund for his fiancee and daughter? You're in our prayers No. 21.

Jason La Canfora: There will certainly be a ceremony Sunday and the NFL will also be paying its repects to Sean at every stadium Sunday.

His lawyer, Richard Sharpstein, told me today that by the end of the week they hope to have a charitable fund and scholarship fund in the works. It is among the things he expects to speak to the family about.

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New York, N.Y.: Hey Jason -

This may seem trivial, but how are you as a beat reporter doing during this? I know Taylor could be standoffish with the media, but you've been covering them for some time now. You must have had some personal moments with him just a tad? Or even to see the players you have become closer with, in such agony. I imagine you are in as much shock, albeit in a professional state?

Jason La Canfora: You actually expressed my feelings better than I did in that previous post. Thanks. That's pretty much sums it up.

Basically, you are working around the clock and kind of immersed in the story and then there are moments when the reality of what you are writing sets in and it's kind of surreal and it throws you for a loop.

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Boston: Just wanted to express the extreme gratitude that all of the displaced Redskins fans have for the work that you've done. The blog has been THE source for information about this tragedy. Thank you again from all of us!!

Jason La Canfora: All thanks to you guys for taking the time to read my stuff and for all the support you have shown.

I'm just a churning away and doing my job; you guys deserve the credit for making the blog a place where people like to hang out.

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Washington, D.C.: I would like to ask you to encourage everyone attending Sunday's game to be in their seats early to show their support for Taylor's family and the Redskins family. Our cheers are the fans greatest tool for supporting our players on the field in their time of need.

Also, please advertise if there will be a place to lay flowers at the stadium on Sunday.

Thank you.

Jason La Canfora: Great point.

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Chicago: Jason,

How is this affecting you personally? Can you take off your reporter's hat and just tell us personally what you feel? I know Sean was not one to interact with the media but you had to observe him on a fairly regular basis. Any eye contact, a smile, anything that you can recall while doing your duties around the 'Skins?

Jason La Canfora: Actually, I happened to run into Sean joking around with Vinny Cerrato's kids during training camp and you could tell he really truly loved being around kids. It came naturally to him.

I was actually working on a story on him for a long while now, kind of building it around the scene at training camp that afternoon. Doubt I'll ever get that piece finished the way I'd hoped to but maybe I'll put some of it up on the blog sometime.

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Philadelphia: According to some reports he did not have a security system at this house. Why would he not have a security system?

Jason La Canfora: He did not have one.

One of many strange things to this ordeal.

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D.C.: Jason, any idea if any of Taylor's closest friends, i.e. Portis, Moss, will simply say they cannot bear to take the field this weekend? I certainly wouldn't blame them if they did. R.I.P No. 21, you will be missed.

Jason La Canfora: I would imagine, and I just guessing here from past experience, that they might feel like they should go out and have the game of their lives for Sean.

I could see Clinton in particular saying that he was going to blow up a linebacker or two this weekend in honor of his friend.

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Rockville, Md.: RIP No. 21. I don't know how his teammates will be able to play a game this weekend. Do you expect the team to dedicate the remainder of the season to Sean?

Jason La Canfora: I would think they will be talking about Sean for a long time, and keeping im in mind beyond just this season. But yeah, definitely they will be playing for Sean.

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Alexandria, Va.: I, like most people, are struck hard by this senseless loss. I do not want to seem insensitive, but I am curious how the NFL handles situations like this and the Everett case when a team loses the services of a player permanently. What are the salary cap ramifications?

Jason La Canfora: The remainder of the proration from the bonuses counts against the cap in this case, and it's not a huge figure in this case.

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Washington, D.C.: How on earth do the Redskins prepare for the game this weekend?

Jason La Canfora: Wish I had an answer for you.
None of them have been through this before and they will all be feeling their way through it, hour by hour and day by day.

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Bethesda, Md.: Hey Jason.

Do you know of any charities that Sean Taylor liked that we could donate to in his memory?

Jason La Canfora: I don't right now. His lawyer is checking it out for me, though, so if I hear anything I will certainly post it on the blog.

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Zebra, Serengeti: Thanks for your tireless effort, you and Cindy both.

Do you get a sense from the park what they would 'like' to do Sunday... i.e. play or not play?

I know Springs wanted to play, but this is on a whole different level.

Jason La Canfora: I don't think they will have much choice on this one, as I doubt the NFL will change the schedule.
Thanks for the kind words

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Jason La Canfora: hey guys, I am going to get running here with Joe Gibbs supposed to address the media shortly. Thanks for the questions and sorry again for the circumstances here.
Cheers.

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