turtle Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Guess this puts things into perspective. I have a new found respect for this kid. I hope he does well. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/players/12/05/brotherly.love1212/ Brotherly Love Redskins WR Taylor Jacobs is inspired by a brother with Down syndrome By Lisa Altobelli In his three-year NFL career, Redskins receiver Taylor Jacobs, nagged by minor injuries, has yet to become the star he was as a Florida Gator. Jacobs, though, has stayed confident. He says he learned to keep an even keel and a sense of perspective from his younger brother, Evan, who has Down syndrome. "If Coach Gibbs or a bum off the street came up to him, he would treat them both exactly the same way. I love that," says Taylor. "Or if I had the best game or the worst game of my life, he's just as excited and will hug me just as hard afterward. It's unconditional love." Taylor, 24, and Evan, who's 21 but at the intellectual level of a seven-year-old, grew up on a 25-acre farm near Tallahassee, Fla., and spent time fishing, swimming and riding horses. "We like to go bowling together now," says Taylor. "There's no one I have more fun with than Evan. I'm protective of him. Growing up, he needed a lot of attention. I learned patience." Jacobs's mother, Sandy, then a special education teacher, had met his dad, Harry, an assistant principal, in 1976 when they were helping out with the Special Olympics. The night Evan was born, Sandy says, Harry was wearing a Special Olympics T-shirt. "I guess we were destined to have Evan," says Sandy. "It was a family joke that we would have one kid in the Olympics and the other in the Special Olympics." Evan fulfilled half that prophecy, winning gold in the backstroke in Florida's Special Olympics this year. Taylor's family connection is why, despite being MVP of the 2002 Orange Bowl and being urged by advisers to jump to the NFL, he stayed in Florida as a senior. "I just didn't want to leave yet," he says. "Our family doesn't click unless we're all together." They're still close. Last month Sandy and Evan came to live with Taylor near D.C. and will stay for the rest of the year. Right after their arrival Taylor had his best game, making four catches in a 23-17 loss to the Chargers. Of course, even if he'd gone without a reception, Evan would have welcomed him home with a hug. Issue date: December 12, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
santanamoss89 Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Thats a good story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDiplomat Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 What a great article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJeremy Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Great story. I keep hoping Taylor Jacobs has that "huge" game and gets some confidence. Maybe this week will be his week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceman Spiff Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That is a cool story. Jacobs could make another cool story if he found a way to stay healthy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Kenzo Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I really hope Jacobs finds his place here in the skins' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
authentic Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Come on TJ, we're pulling for you man.. prove all the naysayers wrong!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarhog Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I love Jacobs. I'm telling you, he's got to be the most humble guy in the NFL. His clock is ticking though. He needs to step up the next couple of games and show he's been worth the time and patience the Skins have invested in him. Regardless of how he performs on the field the rest of the year, I think he's one of the good guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzSkinsFan63 Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Makes it super easy to root for him as a Skin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcsmooth Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Man, that's a real nice story. I hope Taylor will be an impact for the remainder of the season. This will take some of the pressure off of Moss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTownFan Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That story just made me a HUGE Taylor Jacobs Fan.. Go Jacobs!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba9497 Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 :thumbsup: Go TJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtMonk_fav.redskin Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 TJ I am pulling for you! Tear it up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-Prime Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I want all Redskins to do well. Maybe a little more prayer his way will keep him healthy long enough to show us what he's got. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsNeverDie Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Great story...i never knew that. He seems like a great person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raub Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Great story. I'm rooting for the kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lead Blocker Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Family First Good to know his family is so close Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinzelwashington Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 thats why u dont make a joke of retarded people. it might come true... in summary, that was a touching story.... now lets lets break the habit.. a loss, there still a hug, a win, there still a hug.. a win in the superbowl, TJ takes EVAN TOO Disneyland.. yehhhhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrepDC Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 I really hope Taylor is able to step it up soon. I truly believe he has the talent and it is just a matter of time for us to see his true talent. If Jacobs can become a solid #2 for us, we won't have to spend money on a FA or a draft pick on a rookie. I think we all should be rooting for Taylor Jacobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phat Hog Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That is a great story, and I have developed a new respect for Taylor - but dude is just not getting it done on the field! Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins4ever Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That was a nice piece indeed. Taylor Jacobs is on the verge of becoming an elite receiver in this league. He he slipped to the 2nd round of the 2002 draft is beyond me. He and Bethel Johnson were the best two WRs in the country in 2001. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinthemboys Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That was a great story. His attitude on and off the field is always one with humility. I was down on him this year but he showed me something these past couple weeks. Heres to TJs success and his little bro GO TJ :point2sky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turtle Posted December 7, 2005 Author Share Posted December 7, 2005 *bump* Good story that needs to be read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonnyRules Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 Very good story....Let's hope he can step up and help the Skins down the stretch. Either way, seems like a great guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheREALJBird Posted December 7, 2005 Share Posted December 7, 2005 That was a good story, I realy like Jabobs nd hope that he gets the opportunity to show the NFL what he's got Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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