Jackie Taylor, daughter of the late NFL star Sean Taylor, is set to honor her father’s legacy by wearing the No. 21 jersey for North Carolina’s volleyball team.
The Tar Heels announced that Jackie will don the same number her father wore during the final three seasons of his NFL career with Washington.
Jackie was born in May 2006, shortly after Sean Taylor completed his second NFL season. Tragically, Sean died on November 27, 2007, at the age of 24, after being shot in the leg during a home invasion. The bullet severed his femoral artery, leading to significant blood loss.
Eric Rivera, identified as the shooter, was sentenced to over 57 years in prison by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Dennis Murphy in 2014. Jackie and her mother, Garcia Haley, who was Sean’s girlfriend at the time, were in the house during the incident but were unharmed. Five men were charged in connection with the crime, with three being convicted and two accepting plea deals resulting in prison sentences.
Throughout her athletic career, Jackie has consistently paid tribute to her father. She wore No. 1 while playing volleyball at Gulliver Prep, the same number Sean wore when he played football at the school.
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Reflecting on her father’s influence, Jackie told ESPN’s John Keim in November, “My biggest thing has always been just making sure his name stays alive. It’s never felt like a burden, but it’s just felt like a part of me to connect with him.”
Jackie’s high school career was marked by significant achievements.
She led the Gulliver Prep Raiders to their first Florida state championship during her senior year, recording 26 kills, 6.5 blocks, and four digs in the four-set victory over Bishop Moore in the Class 4A championship match.
Sean Taylor, remembered as one of the most talented safeties in NFL history, was the fifth overall pick by Washington in the 2004 NFL Draft. He initially wore No. 36 during his rookie season before switching to No. 21 in 2005.
His No. 21 jersey was retired by Washington in October 2021, and he was posthumously inducted into the team’s ring of honor in 2008.
As Jackie steps onto the court for North Carolina, she carries with her the legacy of her father, embodying his spirit and determination. Wearing No. 21 is more than a tribute; it is a continuation of Sean Taylor’s legacy through his daughter’s athletic journey.
