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MIAMI (CBS4) ― The NFL, community and friends, reflectd on Tuesday on the tragic death of  Washington Redskins' Sean Taylor after he was shot and killed by an intruder at his home in Palmetto Bay.

Miami Dade police said they received a call about 1:45 a.m. from Taylor's girlfriend called 911 who said he had been shot in the lower body when he went to confront a prowler.

The 24-year old Taylor is in his fourth season with the Redskins after playing at the University of Miami, where he was an All-American in 2003. He leads the team with five interceptions but has missed the last two games because of a knee injury.

In Ashburn, Virginia, the Redskins canceled their scheduled open locker room period for reporters Monday and barred the media from talking to players as they entered the building.

Coach Joe Gibbs was joined by the team chaplain at the Redskins' usual Monday meeting, and a small group of players held a separate prayer gathering.

At a Tuesday afternoon press conference, coach Joe Gibbs said, "He was made to play football."

Redskins safety Pierson Prioleau fought to keep his composure while speaking with reporters.

"This is not just a member of the Washington Redskins, but we're talking about a dad, a brother a friend of ours, and that's where we're at with this right now," Prioleau said.

Redskins owner Dan Snyder briefly spoke to reporters, without taking questions, and said he and "a group of Redskins are on our way to Miami." Snyder, running back Clinton Portis, vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and trainer Bubba Tyer will be flying on the owner's plane.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to Sean and his family. ... We appreciate very, very much the outcry of support," Snyder said.

Washington Redskins fans had already created a makeshift memorial:
"Rest in Paradise, No. 21."

Known as one of the NFL's hardest hitters, Taylor played in his first Pro Bowl last season, where he drew attention by leveling the other team's punter in what is usually a well-mannered exhibition game. Even though he has missed two games, his five interceptions remained tied for most in the NFC.

Taylor has been in trouble numerous times since he was drafted as the No. 5 overall pick in 2004. He has been fined at least seven times during his professional career for late hits and other infractions, including a $17-thousand penalty for spitting in the face of Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman during a playoff game in January 2006. He also was fined $25-thousand for skipping a mandatory rookie symposium shortly after he was drafted.

Redskins coaches and players have defended Taylor, saying he was smart and misunderstood. Taylor has been slow to let anyone in his inner circle and rarely speaks to reporters, saying he does not trust them.

In 2005, Taylor was accused of brandishing a gun at a man and repeatedly hitting him during a fight that broke out after Taylor and some friends went looking for the people who had allegedly stolen his all-terrain vehicles. Taylor reached a deal with prosecutors last year after they agreed to drop felony charges against him. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in the assault case and was sentenced to 18 months probation. The pleas prompted another fine from the NFL but kept his football career intact.

He also was ordered to talk about the importance of education at 10 Miami schools and had to contribute $1,000 for scholarships to each of those schools.

Known as one of the NFL's hardest hitters, Taylor played in his first Pro Bowl last season, where he drew attention by leveling the other team's punter in what is usually a well-mannered exhibition game. Even though he has missed two games, his five interceptions remained tied for most in the NFC.

Redskins coaches and players have defended Taylor, saying he was smart and misunderstood. Taylor has been slow to let anyone in his inner circle and rarely speaks to reporters, saying he does not trust them. 

Taylor reached a deal with prosecutors last year after they agreed to drop felony charges against him. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors in the assault case and was sentenced to 18 months probation. The pleas prompted another fine from the NFL but kept his football career intact.

He also was ordered to talk about the importance of education at 10 Miami schools and had to contribute $1,000 for scholarships to each of those schools.

The Washington Redskins Statement On The Death Of Sean Taylor:

The Redskins have been notified that Sean Taylor passed away Tuesday morning at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami.

He was 24 years old.

"This is the worst imaginable tragedy," Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean's family."

Taylor was injured Monday in a shooting at his residence in Miami and did not survive.

"We're going to miss him very, very much," Snyder said.

Head coach Joe Gibbs said that he noticed that Taylor had matured in the last year, in part because of the birth of his daughter Jackie.

"Sean had a great relationship with the Lord and the feeling is that he's going home," he said. "It's hard for us, because we're here and we're going to miss him. Not as a player, but as a person."

At Redskins Park on Tuesday, several fans began a memorial by laying flowers on a field near the front entrance.

The team will coordinate memorials for Taylor in front of the guardhouse leading into Redskins Park.

In addition, No. 21 will be painted on the plaza in front of the Redskins Hall of Fame Store on the south side of FedExField. Both memorials should be finalized by early afternoon.

Fans will be allowed access to those areas as a memorial to Taylor.

Taylor was engaged to be married. He and his girlfriend have a 1-year-old daughter named Jackie.

Taylor was the Redskins' first-round draft pick in 2004. He was the fifth overall pick out of Miami.

The press release the Redskins issued after drafting Taylor stated the following: "Touted as one of the most sought after players in this year's draft, Taylor brings a tremendous combination of size, speed and strength to the Redskins defense, as well as his well documented abilities as a playmaker and intimidator in the secondary."

Taylor lived up to that billing in four seasons with the Redskins.

As a rookie, Taylor played in 15 games, with 13 starts, and recorded 89 tackles, second-best on the team. He had one sack and four interceptions.

He finished fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting and was named a first alternate to the Pro Bowl.

Taylor earned his first and only Pro Bowl bid after the 2006 season in which he logged a team-high 129 tackles (89 solo), one interception and three forced fumbles.

This season, Taylor has played free safety opposite promising rookie LaRon Landry and led the team with five interceptions. He was sixth on the team in tackles with 46 (34 solo). He also had one forced fumble and eight passes defended.

For his career, Taylor has 344 tackles (245 solo), 12 interceptions, 41 passes defended and four forced fumbles.

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