Art Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 This was the hardest thing I've ever had to write. http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=32290 ExtremeSkins Fan View: Goodbye, Sean By Arthur Mills ExtremeSkins.com November 30, 2007 We didn't know Sean Taylor. On 4th-and-four against Dallas, as he jarred the ball free from Patrick Crayton, we thanked him. We admired him against the Vikings as Moe Williams came rushing forward full speed only to be stoned cold. When he didn't communicate with the coaching staff during an absence, we were frustrated by him. We were amazed by him as he sat deep in coverage, seemingly beaten against Green Bay, goading Brett Favre to throw behind him only to gallop into the play to make the play. He made us smile as he floated into the end zone against Philly, made us marvel as he intimidated Terrell Owens, made us shake our heads when he worked out in Florida, made us get up and cheer when he had the ball in his hands. He made us all do and feel so much. On Tuesday morning, he made us cry. We woke up and the first thing we did was check for information about him. This man we didn't know. This man we loved so much for what he could do. We've drifted through this week dazed. Some of us seeking the huddle of fellow fans holding each other together, some of us spacing out internally attempting to put answers to questions that have no answers. We catch ourselves closing our eyes in disbelief days later. People in our lives we do know, who may not otherwise even like us, have reached out to us to offer sympathy for the loss. Cowboy fans even seem to care. The feelings and response is so crazy. So stupid. So ludicrous. So wrong. So understandable. So sane. So right. All of it. We hate ourselves when we think about what this means for the team. How could we? It's just not important. Kickoff is still at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. How can we not? Men who did know Sean Taylor have to suit up and play football. Coaches who did know Sean Taylor have to watch game film, prepare a game plan, teach it to the players, then coach a game. Then pack up for a trip to Miami for a funeral. If we feel the way we do, what must it be like for them? How will they respond? If the team responds to Taylor's death finding unity and purpose behind these unwanted, negative emotions by going on a memorable, admirable streak of victory, could we cheer? If the team responds to Taylor's death with distracted, even disinterested play, causing a string of losses, could we boo? Before Tuesday, being a football fan was simple. He can't play or he can. He can coach or he can't. If we had Taylor, Owens would not have had any catches. Campbell's not clutch, or he's an emerging star. We had football and the views of football fans, regardless off how divergent they can be. Views uncomplicated by the realities of life until life's tragedies intrude and remind us just how shallow our passion is, but just how wonderful it is because of how pure and simple it is in a world where a man can be taken from his family so senselessly. It took Taylor's death for us to get to know him better. To know he was seeing a woman related to Andy Garcia. To know he was a homebody since the birth of his child. To know he was maturing. To know he was easy with a smile to those he knew and trusted. Each story bringing us closer to the man we only knew on the field yet who has now impacted us so greatly off it. Each story connecting us more to the man Sean Taylor was rather than the football player we knew him to be. In this week after three consecutive losses, he unites us with the team in a way no victory could accomplish. On Sunday our cheers will come more from the heart than the throat. It will be our release. One we need. One our team needs. Sean Taylor's no longer here for us, but, for a while, he'll be with us more than ever before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Very true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wpenn1 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 very true Goodbye Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Well done, Art. :applause: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Beautifully written and stated :applause:... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Califan007 The Constipated Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Btw, it was 3rd-and-4 against Dallas, not 4th-and-4 lol...I've been replaying that play all week long in my head, among others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
75004 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Well done, I have his # 21 written on my board at work. It has also made me realized to appreciate those around me and not take them for granted. RIP Sean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinklein Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Wonderful, Art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard saunders Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Thanks Art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Worthy Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Thanks Art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SDSkinsFan84 Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Well done, had to be very tough. Unchartered territory for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1Redskins Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 Thanks Art for the letter! It was very touching... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevind Posted November 30, 2007 Share Posted November 30, 2007 beautifully written Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Execution56 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Good bye, Sean... You will always be missed and NEVER forgotten. Always and forever in our hearts, minds and soul. Rest in peace and see you on the other side, my brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Janky Spanky Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 RIP #21 -- We will never be the same now that you're gone. You're irreplaceable. We miss you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redskins Diehard Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 well done art Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtMonk_fav.redskin Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Art, this was a moving piece. Thank you. :logo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryweaver Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Art: Beautiful, really beautiful. My 11 year old son asked me if I’d ever gone through some thing like Sean Taylors death. I said very similar thing a couple of day’s before my birthday in 1970 we lost Coach Lombardi. I remember back then, someone sharing an old Irish Saying that goes something like this: “A man’s character isn’t so much measured by whether they are spoken of after they’re gone, But rather if he will be missed” Sean we’ll miss you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewCliche21 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Jesus, Art. Do you have an endorsement with Kleenex or something? I'm bawling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg42 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 That was beautiful. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riggins4452 Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Very well done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#21Taylor4Ever Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Very nice Art. This write up coupled by the news of the shooter's confession just gave me one more cry. I never thought a stranger could touch my heart this much. Just goes to show you that Sean Taylor was no stranger and was no average person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjcdaman Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Art, just know that your words brought tears to my eyes. :applause: Great job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 Damnit Art. Just when I thought I'd make it through the day without losing it, I read this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsOrlando Posted December 1, 2007 Share Posted December 1, 2007 beautiful piece Art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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