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Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Taylor tragedy: Sorrow and the NFL’s image issues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The news of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor’s death is another tragedy of a young man and pro athlete. Taylor is the second NFL player to be killed in a violent manner this calendar year. Denver defensive back Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting in Denver New Year’s Day.
While doing a radio show with Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall and Joe Horn Monday night, both expressed concern for Taylor and his family, not knowing Taylor would die hours later. Each was saddened by the violent and potentially criminal element of the situation, which, at the time, came well before some of the details of the shooting became public.
The image of the NFL likely could take another negative hit in a year in which bad news has tilted the scales for all of the positive things that have been accomplished on and off the field. Heck, even mention of the Patriots’ incredible run so far is frequently has their Spygate incident attached.
As Horn, Hall, host David Archer and I were talking about the Taylor incident, I thought about the company I was in to bring me back to some of the good things about the NFL and its players.
Here was Hall, who, for all of his talking and bravado, has spent numerous hours with leaders at Virginia Tech to figure out ways to prevent another violent outburst like the mass murder that took place on the Blacksburg campus this year. Hall had a brother who was shot to death, prompting him to establish a foundation aimed at violence prevention.
It is well documented what Horn did for the people of New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina, with his time, money and the use of his popularity to help bring change to the region.
There are so many other guys in the NFL and with the Falcons, like Warrick Dunn, Keith Brooking, Jamaal Anderson, Lawyer Milloy … the list is too long, who simply are good guys.
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