The Official Retire #21 Thread

WuSkinsFan · Post by **WuSkinsFan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:55 am

If you do not agree, that is fine by me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I did not start this thread to debate the topic.

I believe the Redskins organization should retire his jersey #. I will send a letter to Redskins Park urging them to do so. I hope that all the other Redskins & Sean Taylor fans who agree with me will also send a letter to Redskins Park.

Here is the address:

Washington Redskins
21300 Redskin Park Drive
Ashburn, VA 20147

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:59 am

I love Sean Taylor, and I wish the best for everyone involved, but I just don't see number retirement as a realistic option in remembering his legacy.

The only number the Redskins have ever retired is #33, perhaps there's another way to honor Sean.

SkinMeAlive · Post by **SkinMeAlive** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:03 am

If the Redskins haven't retired #28 or #80, it is hard to think or believe they would retire #21. I'm not opposed to the idea. I just don't see it as a realistic possibility.

SwingBringsThePain · Post by **SwingBringsThePain** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:04 am

It's not gonna happen. He didn't play long enough to warrant the retirement of his number. It's not like the Raiders retired Bo Jackson's number.

Irn-Bru · Post by **Irn-Bru** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:09 am

I agree that the Redskins should honor Sean Taylor, and there is no reason to think that they won't find a way to do so. I say let's give it some time and I think that a tasteful reaction will surface.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:16 am

I believe that, since the case will now be investigated as a homicide, it would be wise for the Redskins to hold off on any large, public honor of Sean Taylor, until the investigation is over.

Does anyone remember when the WWE "honored" Chris Benoit's legacy after his "death"?

The organization should proceed with caution and avoid a WWE-like PR move.

As of right now, I really like the way the Skins have handled the situation.

Perhaps naming a defensive award after him (within the Skins organization) would be a suitable way to honor his legacy when the smoke clears.

joedondero1919 · Post by **joedondero1919** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:18 am

SwingBringsThePain wrote:It's not gonna happen. He didn't play long enough to warrant the retirement of his number. It's not like the Raiders retired Bo Jackson's number.

what a horrible comparison. bo jackson wasnt shot and killed. and he certainly did not bleed silver and black. he only played half the teams games cause he wanted to play baseball.

JPFair · Post by **JPFair** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:35 am

The best way to honor Sean Taylor is to go out every Sunday for the rest of the season and to dedicate each game to Sean Taylor. A black band around the jersey with #21, enshrinement in the ring of fame, a statue outside the stadium....I would prefer over a retired jersey.

I can't even think straight right now.

xhadow · Post by **xhadow** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:40 am

JPFair wrote:The best way to honor Sean Taylor is to go out every Sunday for the rest of the season and to dedicate each game to Sean Taylor. A black band around the jersey with #21, enshrinement in the ring of fame, a statue outside the stadium....I would prefer over a retired jersey.

I can't even think straight right now.

I can't either, I feel like I just lost a member of my family.

VetSkinsFan · Post by **VetSkinsFan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:46 am

I am for it. The man who turned his life around after the trouble he had been involved in and was murdered. ST could have had a pistol in his bedroom, but he didn't. He had a machete. That speaks highly of him to me. I'm sure it was part of his probation and he abided by it even now, even to his death. Honorable man IMO who deserves recognition for the transformation he went thru as a Redskin, on and off the field. It shows not just courage on the field, but off the field as well. He was headed down the wrong road and fought vs adversity and came out ahead.

RIP #21

WuSkinsFan · Post by **WuSkinsFan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:53 am

SwingBringsThePain wrote:It's not gonna happen. He didn't play long enough to warrant the retirement of his number. It's not like the Raiders retired Bo Jackson's number.

How does Bo Jackson relate at all to this topic?

Once again, I'm not asking for everybody to agree with me on retiring #21.

And if the Redskins do not retire ST's #, I will not be upset. I simply started this thread for those who agree with me to simply write a letter to the organization expressing that wish.

I don't care if it's not a realistic possibility. Where is the harm in writing a simple letter?

pxalpha97 · Post by **pxalpha97** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:54 am

I don't see them retiring his jersey but they could change the numbers on the 20 yard line to 21. Something simple but it's a way to keep 21 on the field.

Such a sad day!!! RIP 21!

roybus14 · Post by **roybus14** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:54 am

I don't think that now is the time to even be having this conversation. There are more important things that we as fans, this organization and most importantly his family have to deal with going forward. Retiring his number should be the least of anybody's worries right now......

WuSkinsFan · Post by **WuSkinsFan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:58 am

roybus14 wrote:I don't think that now is the time to even be having this conversation. There are more important things that we as fans, this organization and most importantly his family have to deal with going forward. Retiring his number should be the least of anybody's worries right now......

It is not a worry. It is just a wish to express my sorrow for the death of one of my favorite players. I don't see any harm in that.

I pray that Sean rests in peace and for the strength of his family.

hailskins666 · Post by **hailskins666** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:02 am

pxalpha97 wrote:I don't see them retiring his jersey but they could change the numbers on the 20 yard line to 21. Something simple but it's a way to keep 21 on the field.

Such a sad day!!! RIP 21!

the can't change the numbers due to nfl rules, but they can highlight the 21 yd lines, which i think would be a great idea.

riggofan · Post by **riggofan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:03 am

VetSkinsFan wrote:I am for it. The man who turned his life around after the trouble he had been involved in and was murdered. ST could have had a pistol in his bedroom, but he didn't. He had a machete. That speaks highly of him to me. I'm sure it was part of his probation and he abided by it even now, even to his death. Honorable man IMO who deserves recognition for the transformation he went thru as a Redskin, on and off the field. It shows not just courage on the field, but off the field as well. He was headed down the wrong road and fought vs adversity and came out ahead.

RIP #21

I think Redeemedskin is completely right. People need to hold off on all of this stuff until all of the facts are in. I don't know for a fact that anything you just wrote is true. What I know is that people were breaking into his house repeatedly in the last two weeks, and that he felt the need to sleep with a machete next to his bed.

I'm a huge Sean Taylor fan, and I hope that everything you wrote is true. But we might want to save the enshrinements until the facts are all in. This whole thing is incredibly suspect. What kind of burglar breaks down a bedroom door to shoot the homeowner (a potentially armed pro football player no less) and then leaves without taking anything?

Sorry, I'm waiting for the police investigation to tell us exactly what happened.

JPFair · Post by **JPFair** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:07 am

If anyone is familiar with the book "Fourth and One" by Joe Gibbs, he talks about the true test of a mans character is not by his or her material possesions, not by his wealth, but the TRUE test of a mans characher is how he/she reacts to, and overcomes adversity. To that end, Sean Taylor was as honorable a person as could possibly esist. His character, though questioned by many, is exemplary....and to be admired. He is a man of tremendous character and dignity.

To overcome what he has overcome is a true testament to the strength of his character. He could easily have taken all the money he makes and lived a life of drugs, crime, strip clubs, alcohol, and the high flying lifestyle that so many people crave....but no, he chose to overcome adversity by being a family man, caring for his fiance, his daughter, and his family. He was not gunned down while hanging out at strip clubs, he was ruthlessly murdered while at home with his loved ones, not in a flashy 5 million dollar sprawling mansion overlooking the beach, but rather, in a modest home that he cherished with his family.

pxalpha97 · Post by **pxalpha97** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:14 am

the can't change the numbers due to nfl rules, but they can highlight the 21 yd lines, which i think would be a great idea.

Never knew that, thanks for the info. Highlighting the 21 yard line is just as good.

Charm City Sports · Post by **Charm City Sports** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:21 am

They have to retire the number.

There is no way that someone could ever come into the organization and fill ST's shoes.

Just no way.

# 21 will forever be known as Sean's number.

My 2 cents

WuSkinsFan · Post by **WuSkinsFan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:33 am

Charm City Sports wrote:They have to retire the number.

There is no way that someone could ever come into the organization and fill ST's shoes.

Just no way.

# 21 will forever be known as Sean's number.

LOSTHOG · Post by **LOSTHOG** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:38 am

just because they may not officially retire the number doesn't mean it will be used again. I'm sure our organization will come up with a classy tribute to ST and his family. Right now there is too much grief involved to think clearly.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:39 am

You know, I hear all of ya.. I can care less what the police investigation finds out for real guys. The kid matured right before our eyes and turned himself around. Granted, he may have had some "bad" ties with these guys that murdered him but he changed his life around to become a better man. I personally would love to see it retired even if its reallistically not possible. I agree with you all, if it can't be done, Snyder should do something else in Fedex Field. I love the idea about highlighting the 21 yard line. Possibly putting up his picture around the stadium somewhere with all (past/present) Redskins signatures?

Bob 0119 · Post by **Bob 0119** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:40 am

I agree...retire the number.

This is not a Benoit-like situation. Sean was shot by someone who broke into his house in the middle of the night.

The reason he felt "some need to sleep with a machete next to his bed" was because his house had already been broken into once within the past 8 days.

Personally, I sleep with a .357 next to mine, and my house has never been broken into.

They don't have to retire his number this Sunday, but they should retire it.

REDEEMEDSKIN · Post by **REDEEMEDSKIN** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:57 am

Charm City Sports wrote:They have to retire the number.

There is no way that someone could ever come into the organization and fill ST's shoes.

Just no way.

# 21 will forever be known as Sean's number.

I understand the sentiment surrounding Sean, but to suggest that #21 belongs to him after 1 Pro Bowl year, shows extremely short term memories, and ignores the accomplishments of these other Redskins #21 wearers, whose numbers were not retired*:

SMOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!

TERRY ALLEN

EARNEST BYNER

MIKE NELMS

Three of these guys are on the 70 Greatest Redskins List, and have, to my knowledge, a more impressive resume than Taylor.

I'm not trying to burst y'all's bubble, but do wish to offer some perspective. My 2 cents

I'm sure the Redskins will find a great way to honor Sean, when all is said and done.

*Of course, Smoot is not retired, but I hope you get the point.

langleyparkjoe · Post by **langleyparkjoe** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 12:01 pm

Great point.. lets just hope Snyder gets creative and does something. Snyder's a fan like us, he'll step up, I can almost gaurantee it!