There’s no shortage of stars on the field at the 2024 Pro Bowl. However, Robert Griffin III can’t get one former Pro Bowler off his mind. While covering the Pro Bowl on Sunday, Griffin donned a Washington Redskins Sean Taylor jersey.
“I’m wearing Sean Taylor’s jersey right now because he’s the greatest Pro Bowl safety of all-time, and if you’re going to come out there and hit somebody, make sure you take out the punters too,” Griffin said. “Just want to pay homage to him. We miss him dearly, that’s why I wanted to show my respect.”
Griffin played for the Redskins, now known as the Commanders, for four seasons. During the 2007 season, Taylor was shot by intruders at his Miami area home and died the next day on November 27. Posthumously, he earned a second Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors.
While Taylor only played in one Pro Bowl, he left NFL fans with a memory they will never forget. Taylor was known for delivering monstrous hits on any victim unfortunate enough to cross his path. Pro Bowlers weren’t given any special privileges.
With nearly five minutes left in the third quarter of the 2007 Pro Bowl, punter Brian Moorman attempted to fake a punt and dash for the first-down marker. In the modern Pro Bowl, players may have laughed at the gesture, or even patted him on the back as he gracefully jogged out of bounds.
In 2007, Taylor prowled on the other side of the line scrimmage, daring Moorman to make a run for it. Of course, he did and Taylor made him pay the price. About two yards away from the first down, Taylor ran over Moorman like a freight train.
The pop of the collision was quickly accompanied by the roar of the crowd. Moorman wasn’t exactly cheering.
“It’s certainly the hit that keeps on giving,” Moorman said. “I just wish I could have gotten one more yard and a half so I could at least say I got the first down before he blew me up.”
Miraculously, Moorman bounced to his feet after only about two seconds on the ground. Instead of running to his sideline, Moorman jogged over to Taylor with a two-word message: “Great hit.”
Fans annually reflect on the hit which summarized Taylor’s game into one play. He was vicious, but entertaining. He was competitive, but knew how to have fun. Moorman is certainly thankful for the memory.
“It ripped a hole in my jersey and left face mask paint on it,” Moorman said. “It’s probably the most cherished piece of memorabilia I have in my career.”
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