The tragic passing of NFL star Sean Taylor 16 years on

The man nicknamed 'Meast' from the expression 'Half Man, Half Beast,' Sean Taylor was one of the most feared players in the NFL, known for his hard-hitting ability.

The highly touted free safety played for the University of Miami and earned a Unanimous All-American, Big East Defensive Player of the Year, and the BCS National Championship in 2001.

Picture – X @CaneFilms

After a dominant spell for the 'Canes,' Taylor was drafted by the Washington Redskins (now Commanders) as the number five pick in 2004.

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In four years playing for Washington, Taylor made 305 tackles, 12 interceptions, eight forced fumbles, and two sacks in 55 NFL games.

His hard-hitting tackling and tough defense earned him a spot at the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, but his life off the field was filled with legal issues and team fines.

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Shortly after being drafted in 2004, Taylor was fined $25,000 for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium. In 2006, he was fined $17,000 by the NFL for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman.

In 2005, Taylor was sentenced to 18 months probation after pleading no contest to two misdemeanors after a fight broke out between a group of people and Taylor's friends.

Taylor was accused of brandishing a gun at a man and reportedly hitting him during the fight that broke out after the people stole one of Taylor's vehicles.

Devastatingly, Taylor's life and NFL career came to a tragic end on November 27^th, 2007, one day after being fatally shot at his home in Miami, aged only 24.

Four young men aged between 17 and 20 stormed the NFL star's house and were the ones accused of killing Taylor.

The four young men entered Taylor's property through a window and rummaged around a desk and a safe. Taylor went to face the intruders and was shot in the leg once while his 18-month-old baby and girlfriend hid.

The former NFL free safety's femoral artery in his leg was severed, causing extensive blood loss. He was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he died on November 27^th, 2007.

All four men, Venjah K. Hunte, 20; Eric Rivera, Jr., 17; Jason Scott Mitchell, 19; and Charles Kendrick Lee Wardlow, 18, were arrested for home invasion robbery with a firearm, second-degree murder, and armed burglary.

Eric Rivera was the suspect accused of shooting Taylor, but he didn't stand for trial until he was 23. Due to being 17 at the time of the shooting, Rivera didn't get the death penalty.

His funeral was held on December 3^rd, 2007, at the Pharmed Arena at Florida International University. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, former NFL star OJ Simpson, and Jesse Jackson attended it.

His Washington teammates wore patches on their jerseys and stickers on their helmets with Taylor's number 21. He later had his jersey retired and was inducted into the Washington Commanders 90 Greatest, and the Commanders Ring of Fame.