Washington Redskins Safety Sean Taylor in Critical Condition After Shooting in Florida

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Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor is in critical condition after he was shot during what police are investigating as a possible armed robbery at his home in suburban Miami, Florida earlier this morning. Sean had been inactive for the past two Redskins games with a sprained right knee and was at home recuperating. According to his former lawyer (and family friend) Richard Sharpstein, Sean is in the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital following nearly six hours of surgery and “is clinging to life and we’re all praying he makes it.” He lost a significant amount of blood because the bullet damaged his femoral artery and doctors are worried about blood flow to his brain.

Sean is, without question, one of the best (and hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL). In a recent ESPN Magazine article, fellow-Redskin Clinton Portis said teammates ask Sean if he has anyone to give him a hug because he plays like he’s mad at the world. Sean has had on- and off-the-field issues in the past. Two years ago he was accused of brandishing a gun. He has been fined at least seven times during his professional career for late hits and other infractions, including a $17,000 penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January 2006. He also was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium shortly after he was drafted.

In Sean’s case, with all the potential and all the talent comes a lot of volatility. The Redskins knew this when they made him part of their team. And it was a risk they were willing to take. I don’t know what kind of crowd Sean hangs with or anything about his personal life, but I’m sure he understands the risks of associating with the wrong people. And please understand, I’m not saying this incident was provoked, but with Sean’s troubled past, it has to be considered. This shooting came eight days after another invasion was reported at Sean’s home. According to police records, someone pried open a front window, rifled through his drawers and left a kitchen knife on a bed.

Bottom line, I hope Sean makes a full recovery and gets back on the field for the Redskins. And as much of a force as he is on the football field, I hope he can achieve some kind of peace off it. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.