With today’s tragic news of the death of Redskins safety Sean Taylor dying of a gunshot wound, we are all reminded that being a top-tier athlete doesn’t stop you from being a target of crime. This incident and others that occurred with NBA players over the summer show that they are almost bigger targets with the immense fortune that comes with being a pro athlete. My heart goes out to Redskin players, staff and fans because I know how you feel (the deaths of Walter Payton and Brian Piccolo still bring me to tears). The emptiness you feel now will never go away, but it will lessen with time. Most of all, my condolences go out to Taylor’s family, who has been credited with his growing into a great man in the past couple of years.

RIP Sean Taylor–not only will members of the Taylor, Redskin and Hurricane families miss you. Fans of big hits, outstanding play and just fans of the NFL in general will miss you. Here’s a reminder to all of you of how special this kid from Miami was.