LANDOVER, Md. -- Announced one last time as the "starting free safety" for the Washington Redskins, Sean Taylor was inducted into the team's Ring of Fame before Sunday's game against the New York Giants.
With his mother, father, girlfriend and daughter huddled under umbrellas near the center of the field, Taylor's name was unveiled on the upper-level facade of FedEx Field, joining 42 other Redskins greats.
His father, Pedro Taylor, told the crowd that his son used to say of the fans: "When you guys make the stadium rock, he begins to rock."
"Right now," Pedro Taylor said, "Sean is rocking in heaven."
After the ceremony, the public address announcer said: "Starting at free safety for your Washington Redskins, No. 21, Sean Taylor."
Running back Clinton Portis, Taylor's close friend, then ran onto the field carrying a large burgundy flag with a gold No. 21.
"I think it was big for him and his family -- having his jersey retired," Portis said.
The game, won by the Giants 23-7, was the first following the one-year anniversary of Taylor's death. He was shot in his Florida home last Nov. 26 and died a day later.
"I don't think we were going to use this as an emotional rally," linebacker London Fletcher said. "'Let's go out and win this for Sean Taylor.' I don't think that was the mind-set. After that, it was time to go out there and play football."
Taylor's No. 21 was painted in burgundy on a white background at midfield, where the Redskins logo normally lies.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
