Why Does Something Like This Have to Happen? R.I.P. #21

It’s an inconceivable question to ask. Sean Taylor was 24 years old, and had a 1 year old child. He was on top of the world, playing a game he loved, and doing very well at it. I was shocked by the news that he was shot, but prayed that he could make it through. My heart about dropped when I read the news just a few minutes ago.

It’s an unbearable act of stupidity, taking someone’s life. What could he have possibly done to piss this person off? Why did this person choose to rob his home? And why did this person decide to pull the trigger? Taylor’s girlfriend and baby daughter were inside, and they had to witness their man get shot, ultimately, ending his life.

It’s an unbelievable thing to think of. When anybody dies in a tragic manner like this, it always is. But when that someone is a superstar, possibly a hero or idol to someone, it is even more shocking. These NFL players are our heroes. They are our role models, our idols. We follow their careers, sometimes from the time they were in college. We never expect something like this to happen to them.

It’s a shame to think that he couldn’t even play this week, resting an injured knee. I know the Bucs and Taylor have bad blood between them, ever since he spit in Michael Pittman’s face. But he didn’t even get the chance to play against them. The last game he played, he probably took for granted, as many of us do, never knowing it was his last.

We can’t explain why things like this happen. I believe that everything happens for a reason. If that means that a young father who was a role model to children had to die, then so be it. It was apparently Sean Taylor’s time. But that doesn’t make what happened to him any less of a tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go to his family, friends, and the entire Redskins organization. He never really got the chance to prove what he could do. He never had time.