Dec 3, 2007 11:27 pm US/Eastern
Thousands Turn Out For Memorial To Sean Taylor
Funeral Service at FIU's Pharmed Arena .
''Sean will never, ever be forgotten," said Pastor Dr. Alphonso Jackson III
DORAL (CBS4) ―
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Jazmin Taylor, Sean's younger sister, broke down in tears as she left the stage.
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A floral arrangement in the shape of Sean Taylor's Washington Redskins' number adorns the stage with his casket.
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Silent reflection on a lost friend.
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Sean Taylor's father, Pedro.
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A moment of silent reflection.
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The procession enters the Pharmed Center at the beginning of the memorial service for Sean Taylor.
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Thousands of mourners, friends, family members, including actor Andy Garcia, Devin Hester of the Chicago Bears and O.J. Simpson filled a university arena Monday morning for the funeral services for Redskins star Sean Taylor.
Taylor was shot by an intruder inside his Palmetto Bay home on Monday 26th. He was shot once in the upper leg and died early Tuesday the 27th after losing a tremendous amount of blood.
Four men have been taken into custody and charged with unpremeditated murder in his death.
A public funeral service for Taylor was held at Florida International University's Pharmed Arena. Thousands began filling the arena around 11:00 a.m.
Taylor's family wanted the service to be held at the University of Miami, where Taylor was a former All-American safety, but the BankUnited Center on the Coral Gables campus was unavailable due to basketball games and preparation for a Republican presidential debate.
Taylor's casket was surrounded by flowers and behind it were two large video screens that showed highlights of the NFL player's career.
As people found their seats, tears ran down their faces as they heard a church choir sang in the arena. Bridge Over Trouble Water was one of the song that mourners heard. Soloist Tangela Sheppard sang
The Lord is My Shepherd
.
One man wore a Redskins jersey underneath his suit jacket.
Taylor's family sat on the front seats along with
former Hurricanes coaches Larry Coker, Butch Davis and current coach Randy Shannon.
Taylor's
18-month-old daughter sat patiently on her mother's lap.
Actor Andy Garcia was also among the mourners. His niece, Jacqueline Garcia, was Taylor's girlfriend and was in the home when he was shot.
Pastor Dr. Alphonso Jackson III delivered the invocation followed Pastor Antowyn Mells and Pastor Lucious Hall.
''Sean will never, ever be forgotten,'' said Jackson III. ``God, we put this in your hands today. Help us get through this hour.''
NFL's commissioner, Roger Gadell, took the stage next. "He loved football and football loved him back," said Gadell. "He made an impact on all of us, God bless you Sean."
Rev. Jesse Jackson followed the podium and asked the audience to put their hands together and clap for Taylor. "Put your hands together like you really mean it," said Jackson. "One more time." Jackson said. The audience stood up and paid their respects to the fallen NFL player. "We are slow learner. We are in the hole looking for a shovel, when we need a rope," explained Jackson, calling for an end to violence.
The Washington's Red Skins organization also took the stage. Joe Gibbs the Red Skins coach took the state.
"Over the 4 years that exacted me the most were: He saw the way he loved Jacquie,that teach in life cannon take place in our own human nature," said Gibbs. Snyder closed his eyes and started leading a prayer.
Clinton Portis, a Redskins player said he "Peace, faith and hear," Said the three characteristics defined Taylor. "He always sat down and started talking about his child," explained Portis. "We always got together and there was a bond it was nothing that we planned it just happened." "He would always be there for us."
A slide show video presentation followed their speeches with pictures and interviews from the Redskins.
"My prayers go out to the family, this situation is very hard," said Redskins Lavar Arrington. "I'm guilty for moving on when something happens mi situation, this situation has forced me to face those issues that sometimes you really don't want to face. As Arrington spoke his face ran down with tear and his voice choked up from the emotions. "I'm just glad that Mr. Taylor has given me this opportunity, Sean I love you as a team mate, my friend."
"Sean thanks for being such a great football player, you made a place in history, it was so much fun watching you play," said Drew Rosenhaus, Taylor's agent during the service. "Thanksfor being such a great teammate, Sean thanks for your toughness." "I will never forget your, I will remember you every time I look at a football."
"Sean was the best big brother anybody can ask for," said Taylor's sister, Jazmin Taylor, broke down in tears and said. "Last time I talked to Sean was Thanksgiving." She added, "All I want to see is his smile, he had the best smile." As she kept talking she tried to keep her tears from running down her face. Her voiced also choked up. "I know he can hear me, and when I prayed tonight I'm going to have the best conversation with you."
Jazmin ended her memorable speech saying,"I never wanted you to leave, I wish you were home."
Taylor's girlfriend, Jacqueline Garcia asked her sister Carolina Garcia to take the stage.
"I thank my sister for showing me how to love somebody," said Carolina Garcia as she struggled to talk from her emotions. "Sean was her entire world, she believed on him and stood by him, she loved him from the moment she laid eyes on him," said Carolina Garcia. "Watching you with your daughter and Sean has been an inspiration for me." She also thanked Sean for loving her sister the way he did.
Carolina went back to her seat and hugged her sister.
Then, Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon took the podium
"He always looked after me and I always looked after him," said Shannon. "Because that is the bond we had."
"He constantly teaching me to be a competitor, I always admired his work ethics," said Andre Maddox, a Hurricane teammate. "I just can say enough about this guy, God bless you Sean."
Taylor's neighbor, Arlene Byrd took the podium next "Sean was a good neighbor, he had a devoted father, loving family who loved him dearly," said Byrd. "He had a hunger for being the best on why God had hunger him to be."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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