As a lifelong Redskins fan my heart is very heavy today as I learn that Sean Taylor passed away early this morning from a gunshot wound he received during a robbery at his home near Miami.

Sean was just 24 years old and was just starting out on his journey as a dad with his 1 year old daughter Jackie. His coaches and teammates commented on how much his life had changed since becoming a father.

Here’s what Clinton Portis had to say:

Redskins teammate Clinton Portis also played with Taylor at the University of Miami. He had sensed a new maturity in his close friend.

“It’s hard to expect a man to grow up overnight,” Portis said. “But ever since he had his child, it was like a new Sean, and everybody around here knew it. He was always smiling, always happy, always talking about his child.”

We’ll miss you Sean Taylor!