NFL world pays respects to Sean Taylor on anniversary of his murder

It was 12 years ago Wednesday that a blossoming NFL career and life was cut short in South Beach.

Washington Redskins Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor was murdered at the young age of 24 during a robbery gone wrong inside his Miami-based home.

This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the broader NFL. How could someone with so much to live for expire at such a young age? A former first-round pick, Taylor was ascending up the NFL ranks and looked to be a future Hall of Famer.

A dozen years after his murder, the NFL world is once again paying tribute to a man it lost much too soon.

Hard to explain Sean Taylor's legacy to people not from the area. He had kids from Suitland to Potomac rocking taped facemasks and layered socks for a decade. He's what Vick was to Va. Beach kids, or Cam to Atlanta, but he wasn't even from here. People immediately adopted him. pic.twitter.com/sC4RCTsdAx
— robertklemko (@RobertKlemko) November 27, 2019

“I went through the stands and threw up a deuce-one. Because … that’s how I got to pay tribute every week. Showin' him that we out here doin' it still for him.” – Santana Moss remembering his late friend, Sean Taylor 🙏 pic.twitter.com/C8HOprdrF1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 27, 2019

12 years ago, we lost a legend.

But Sean Taylor's memory lives on. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Q3XQaipctz
— NFL (@NFL) November 27, 2019

my favorite athlete ever. my reason for loving football. inspirational to kids everywhere. we miss you, sean taylor. #GOAT pic.twitter.com/Q7gduSRJPV
— kelly cohen (@ByKellyCohen) November 27, 2019

Hail to SEAN TAYLOR ❤️💛❤️💛 gone but never forgotten #HTTR #21 pic.twitter.com/PmJlOyql9W
— ✨Chelly ✨ (@mrsjones1179) November 27, 2019

This is a new moral inside @FedExField

On this date 12 years ago, #RedskinsNation lost a G.O.A.T., I will always remember the passion and fierce competition Sean Taylor brought to every game. #RIPST #HTTR #ST21 pic.twitter.com/heAussG1Kt
— Single Dad SZN (@DEERSnBEERS) November 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/JMammarelli21/status/1199702934579273737?s=20

Outside @FedExField today in honor of Sean Taylor ✊ pic.twitter.com/56lXBk6ecn
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) November 24, 2019

#AlwaysInOurHearts -Remembering Sean Taylor (April 1, 1983–Nov 27, 2007) #RIP21 #HTTR ❤️💛 pic.twitter.com/LVvwPORXm6
— Double L must Rock The Bells (@LoveThePuck) November 27, 2019

https://twitter.com/HOGFARMERKJ/status/1199638452444286976?s=20

12 years ago today we lost one of the greatest playmakers & hardest hitting safeties to ever take the field. Sean Taylor was only 24. RIP 🙏

@Redskins | @CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/I4Hwsec6pI
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 27, 2019