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Jason Taylor (American football)
Encyclopedia
Jason Paul Taylor is an American football
linebacker
who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins
in the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins
in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Akron
.
A six-time Pro Bowl
selection, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and is the NFL's all time leader in fumble return touchdowns (6).
Taylor has also played for the Washington Redskins
and the New York Jets
.
from 10th to 12th grade, Taylor participated in athletics at Woodland Hills High School
in Churchill
, Pennsylvania
, where he was a two-sport star in football
and basketball
. As a senior, he won Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
honors by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
at both tight end
and free safety. He was also a four year letterman.
for the University of Akron
. He recorded 279 tackles
, 21 sacks, seven fumbles recovered, and three interceptions
in his college career. He was a two-time First-Team All-Mid-American Conference
selection as a junior and senior, as well as an All-America
pick as a junior. As a junior he played weakside linebacker and moved to left defensive end as a senior. In 1996 he earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Virginia Tech
when he posted 12 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, three stops for loss and tackled a punt returner
in the end zone
for a safety.
Taylor also started for the basketball team
at the University of Akron. In 2004, he became the third person ever inducted into Akron's Ring of Honor. He majored in political science/criminal justice.
. Taylor signed a four-year deal worth approximately $1.3 million in July 1997. Since then, he has firmly established himself as one of the premier defensive ends in the league. He became a starter in his rookie season and recorded five sacks and forced two fumbles.
The following season, 1998, Taylor recorded nine sacks and the 6'6" Taylor batted away eight passes. In 1999 Taylor grabbed the first of his eight career NFL interceptions.
, received a one-year tender that earned him $1.027 million in 2000. Taylor responded with 73-tackles, 14.5-sacks, and 6-passes batted for the Dolphins that season. His performance was rewarded with his first selection to the Pro Bowl.
A year later, on July 24, 2001, he signed a six-year, $42 million contract to remain with the Dolphins. The new contract replaced the one-year, $5.39 million deal the Dolphins tendered Taylor in February, 2001, when he was designated their franchise player. In 2001 Taylor recorded 71 tackles (seven for a loss), 8.5 sacks and swatted away eight passes.
In 2002 Taylor led the NFL and tied the Dolphin team record for sacks with 18.5. He also forced seven fumbles and knocked down eight more passes to go with his 69 tackles. He was a consensus All-Pro
selection and returned to the Pro Bowl. The next season (2003) Taylor followed up his All-Pro performances with a 13-sack season.
space, agreed to a three-year contract extension with Taylor. The extension put Taylor under contract through the 2009 season
. The new deal (which replaced his 6-year, $42 million contract that was scheduled to expire in 2006) was worth $45 million over the 2004-2009 seasons, including nearly $10 million guaranteed in 2004. In 2004 Taylor had 68 tackles, 9.5 sacks, batted 11 passes and picked off a pass. He followed that up with a 73-tackle, 12-sack showing in 2005. He also knocked down 10 passes and forced four fumbles.
cornerback
Champ Bailey
, who received sixteen votes. Shawne Merriman
received six votes, and the winner of the award in 2005, Brian Urlacher
of the Chicago Bears
, received four votes. He was also a consensus All-Pro for the second time.
linebacker Jessie Tuggle
. With eight career defensive TDs (three on INT returns, five on FR returns), Taylor is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. He has also registered two career safeties and has two career field goal blocks.
In 2007 Taylor was voted to the All-time Miami Dolphins team in a poll of Dolphins fans. He was a First-team selection at defensive end along with Bill Stanfill
.
Miami Dolphins General Manager
Jeff Ireland
admitted that there were trade discussions regarding veteran defensive end Taylor. Jacksonville Jaguars
coach Jack Del Rio
acknowledged speaking to the Dolphins about Taylor, "They had a certain price in mind and nobody in the league was interested in that price". On Monday April 28, 2008, The Miami Herald
reported that Dolphin President Bill Parcells
is displeased that Taylor skipped the Dolphins voluntary off-season workouts and that when "Taylor walked into a room where Parcells was watching tape, and Parcells ignored him". Taylor was reportedly "incensed". Ireland, on Sunday, April 27, 2008, said that the Dolphins want Taylor back for the 2008 season
and regard him as a team leader.
On Saturday, April 26, 2008, The St. Petersburg Times
reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
had agreed to trade at least a second round pick, and perhaps others, to the Dolphins for Taylor. However, when the second round pick was traded to Jacksonville, the paper removed the story from its website. Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden
, when asked about trade talks stated, “There have been some trade rumors and I don’t think we’re any different than anybody else. When you’re talking about high-profile players, we’re going to pick up the phone and see what’s going on. It’s part of our job.”
On July 20, 2008, Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins
for a second-round pick in 2009
and a sixth-round pick in 2010
. The trade came after the Redskins lost two defensive ends - Phillip Daniels
and Alex Buzbee
- to season-ending injuries on the first day of training camp.
On March 2, 2009, Taylor was released by the Washington Redskins for refusing to participate in off-season conditioning programs claiming he wanted to be closer to his family in Florida.
for $1.1 million with $400,000 in incentives. On November 1, Taylor set the NFL record for most fumble returns for a touchdown with a 48-yard return against the Dolphins' rivals, the New York Jets
.
on April 20, 2010. On September 19, 2010 he sacked New England Patriots
quarterback Tom Brady
, giving him 128.5 sacks in his career, the 10th most in NFL history. With 132.5 sacks at the end of the regular season, he is now tied for 8th most sacks in a career with Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor
and defensive end Leslie O'Neal
. On January 23, 2011 Taylor played in his first Conference Championship game in his productive 14-year career but only recorded 2 tackles while the Jets lost 24-19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers
, falling one game short of the Super Bowl for the second straight year.
After a subpar season with the team, the Jets released Taylor on February 28, 2011.
for a third stint.
Taylor has also won the "AFC Defensive Player of the Week" Award seven times which is fifth most ever by a defensive player, for the following performances:
Along with winning seven "AFC Defensive Player of the Week" Awards, Taylor has also won three "NFC/AFC Defensive Player of the Month" Awards which is the third most ever by a defensive player (trailing only Bruce Smith and John Randle
) for the following performances:
Taylor has also won numerous team awards, including the Dolphins Newcomer of the Year Award (1997), the "Dan Marino
" Team MVP Award a record four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), and the "Don Shula
" Team Leadership Award twice (2002, 2006).
. Taylor shares the same birthday with Thomas, although Taylor is one year younger. Taylor has three children: sons Isaiah and Mason, and daughter Zoey. Katina Taylor filed for divorce twice in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences
and asking for custody of the children, but both times she withdrew the petitions.
Coincidentally, in 2008 when both Taylor and Thomas left the Dolphins for opposite sides of the Cowboys–Redskins rivalry, both changed their jersey numbers to 55, after wearing numbers 99 and 54 respectively with the Dolphins. While Thomas changed to number 55 for obvious reasons (Bobby Carpenter
already has possession of number 54 in Dallas), Taylor decided to change his number after a discussion with his wife to start a new chapter with the Redskins. Although fellow defensive end Andre Carter
- who wears number 99 with the Redskins - was willing to let Taylor have the number, Taylor didn't press the issue, wanting to "let 99 stay in Miami".
aimed at increasing literacy
among inner city
children; re-naming the Holtz Children's Hospital's
learning center as "The Jason Taylor Children's Learning Center;" providing eleven sixth grade students with college scholarships through the Take Stock in Children organization; creating the "Big Screens-Big Dreams" program to screen inspirational films for hundreds of student-athletes; and furnishing 60 children with $300 back-to-school shopping certificates as part of the "Cool Gear for the School Year" program.
Taylor has been widely recognized for his charitable work. In addition to winning the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, he has been named twice as one of The Sporting News
"Good Guys" and was honored by CBS Sports' James Brown with a JB Award, given annually to NFL players who have demonstrated a commitment to building better communities and stronger families.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who currently plays for the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft
1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Akron
Akron Zips football
The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football...
.
A six-time Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
selection, Taylor was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2006, and is the NFL's all time leader in fumble return touchdowns (6).
Taylor has also played for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
and the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early years
Despite being homeschooledHomeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
from 10th to 12th grade, Taylor participated in athletics at Woodland Hills High School
Woodland Hills High School
Woodland Hills High School is a secondary school teaching students in the grades for the Woodland Hills School District located in Churchill, Pennsylvania. It is the result of a 1981 court-ordered desegregation merger. Before the merger the building was the location of the Churchill Area High...
in Churchill
Churchill, Pennsylvania
Churchill is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 3,011 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Churchill is located at ....
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, where he was a two-sport star in football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
. As a senior, he won Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League
The Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League is an interscholastic athletic association in Western Pennsylvania. It is District 7 of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. The league is colloquially known as "WIP-ee-al"...
honors by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also known simply as the "PG," is the largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.-Early history:...
at both tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
and free safety. He was also a four year letterman.
College career
Taylor was a four-year letterman and three-year starterStarting lineup
A starting lineup in sports is an official list of the set of players who will actively participate in the event when the game begins. The players in the starting lineup are commonly referred to as starters, whereas the others are substitutes or bench players.The starters are commonly the best...
for the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
. He recorded 279 tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
, 21 sacks, seven fumbles recovered, and three interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
in his college career. He was a two-time First-Team All-Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
selection as a junior and senior, as well as an All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
pick as a junior. As a junior he played weakside linebacker and moved to left defensive end as a senior. In 1996 he earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech Hokies
The Virginia Tech Hokies are the athletic teams officially representing Virginia Tech in college sports. The Hokies participate in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic Coast Conference in 19 varsity sports. Virginia Tech's men's sports are football, basketball, baseball, cross country, golf, soccer,...
when he posted 12 tackles, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, three stops for loss and tackled a punt returner
Punt returner
Punt returner is a position on special teams in American football.-Description:The role of a punt returner is to catch the ball after it is punted and to give his team good field position by returning it. Before catching the punted ball, the returner must assess the situation on the field while...
in the end zone
End zone
In gridiron-based codes of football, the end zone refers to the scoring area on the field. It is the area between the end line and goal line bounded by the sidelines. There are two end zones, each being on an opposite side of the field...
for a safety.
Taylor also started for the basketball team
Akron Zips men's basketball
The Akron Zips Men's Basketball team represents the University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. The team currently competes in the Mid-American Conference East division. The team first played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 1986 when Bob Huggins was their coach. The Zips are currently...
at the University of Akron. In 2004, he became the third person ever inducted into Akron's Ring of Honor. He majored in political science/criminal justice.
First stint with Dolphins
Taylor was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third Round (73rd pick overall) of the 1997 NFL Draft1997 NFL Draft
The 1997 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 19–20, 1997. No teams elected to claim any players in the supplemental draft that...
. Taylor signed a four-year deal worth approximately $1.3 million in July 1997. Since then, he has firmly established himself as one of the premier defensive ends in the league. He became a starter in his rookie season and recorded five sacks and forced two fumbles.
The following season, 1998, Taylor recorded nine sacks and the 6'6" Taylor batted away eight passes. In 1999 Taylor grabbed the first of his eight career NFL interceptions.
2000–2003
On April 15, 2000, Taylor, a restricted free agentRestricted free agent
A restricted free agent is a professional athlete who plays in the KHL, NFL, NHL, or NBA. Such players have special restrictions on the terms under which they can retain or change employment status with their athletic club teams.- NFL :...
, received a one-year tender that earned him $1.027 million in 2000. Taylor responded with 73-tackles, 14.5-sacks, and 6-passes batted for the Dolphins that season. His performance was rewarded with his first selection to the Pro Bowl.
A year later, on July 24, 2001, he signed a six-year, $42 million contract to remain with the Dolphins. The new contract replaced the one-year, $5.39 million deal the Dolphins tendered Taylor in February, 2001, when he was designated their franchise player. In 2001 Taylor recorded 71 tackles (seven for a loss), 8.5 sacks and swatted away eight passes.
In 2002 Taylor led the NFL and tied the Dolphin team record for sacks with 18.5. He also forced seven fumbles and knocked down eight more passes to go with his 69 tackles. He was a consensus All-Pro
All-Pro
All-Pro is a term mostly used in the NFL for the best players of each position during that season. It began as polls of sportswriters in the early 1920s...
selection and returned to the Pro Bowl. The next season (2003) Taylor followed up his All-Pro performances with a 13-sack season.
2004–2005
On March 1, 2004, the Dolphins, in an effort to create more salary capSalary cap
In professional sports, a salary cap is a cartel agreement between teams that places a limit on the amount of money that can be spent on player salaries. The limit exists as a per-player limit or a total limit for the team's roster, or both...
space, agreed to a three-year contract extension with Taylor. The extension put Taylor under contract through the 2009 season
2009 NFL season
The 2009 NFL season was the 90th regular season of the National Football League.The preseason started with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on August 9, 2009, and the regular season began September 10. The season ended with Super Bowl XLIV, the league's championship game, on February 7, 2010 at...
. The new deal (which replaced his 6-year, $42 million contract that was scheduled to expire in 2006) was worth $45 million over the 2004-2009 seasons, including nearly $10 million guaranteed in 2004. In 2004 Taylor had 68 tackles, 9.5 sacks, batted 11 passes and picked off a pass. He followed that up with a 73-tackle, 12-sack showing in 2005. He also knocked down 10 passes and forced four fumbles.
2006
Taylor enjoyed the best year of his career in 2006 when he recorded 13.5 sacks, 9 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and two interceptions (both of which were returned for touchdowns), an effort which resulted in his selection as the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. On January 5, 2007, Taylor received twenty-two votes from a panel of fifty sportswriters and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Taylor beat Denver BroncosDenver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
cornerback
Cornerback
A cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
Champ Bailey
Champ Bailey
Roland "Champ" Bailey is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Bailey was drafted in the 1st round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Georgia.Bailey is 8th among Broncos in all-time...
, who received sixteen votes. Shawne Merriman
Shawne Merriman
Shawne DeAndre Merriman is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted 12th overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2005 NFL Draft. On November 2, 2010, the Chargers waived Merriman...
received six votes, and the winner of the award in 2005, Brian Urlacher
Brian Urlacher
Brian Keith Urlacher is an American football player for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League . He attended the University of New Mexico, where he was one of the school's most decorated athletes. In addition to setting multiple university records, Urlacher earned consideration for the...
of the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, received four votes. He was also a consensus All-Pro for the second time.
2007
In 2007 Taylor reached double-digits in sacks for the sixth time in his career and picked off another pass. Five of his FRs he has returned for TDs, which is an NFL record shared with former Atlanta FalconsAtlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
linebacker Jessie Tuggle
Jessie Tuggle
Jessie Floyd Tuggle is a former professional American football linebacker who played for the Atlanta Falcons his entire career from 1987 to 2000. He graduated from Valdosta State College in Valdosta, Georgia...
. With eight career defensive TDs (three on INT returns, five on FR returns), Taylor is the all-time leader in defensive touchdowns scored by a defensive lineman. He has also registered two career safeties and has two career field goal blocks.
In 2007 Taylor was voted to the All-time Miami Dolphins team in a poll of Dolphins fans. He was a First-team selection at defensive end along with Bill Stanfill
Bill Stanfill
William Thomas Stanfill is a former defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League and then the NFL after the AFL-NFL merger of 1970.-High school years:...
.
Washington Redskins
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland
Jeff Ireland is the General Manager for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He has previously served as an executive for the Dallas Cowboys, a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs and an assistant coach for the North Texas Mean Green. He played college football for the Baylor Bears...
admitted that there were trade discussions regarding veteran defensive end Taylor. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
coach Jack Del Rio
Jack Del Rio
Jack Del Rio is an American football coach and former player. Del Rio played both football and baseball for the University of Southern California Trojans, and then spent eleven years playing linebacker in the National Football League . He retired from playing in 1996 and went into coaching,...
acknowledged speaking to the Dolphins about Taylor, "They had a certain price in mind and nobody in the league was interested in that price". On Monday April 28, 2008, The Miami Herald
The Miami Herald
The Miami Herald is a daily newspaper owned by The McClatchy Company headquartered on Biscayne Bay in the Omni district of Downtown Miami, Florida, United States...
reported that Dolphin President Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Duane Charles "Bill" Parcells is a former American football head coach, most recently with the Dallas Cowboys from 2003 to 2006...
is displeased that Taylor skipped the Dolphins voluntary off-season workouts and that when "Taylor walked into a room where Parcells was watching tape, and Parcells ignored him". Taylor was reportedly "incensed". Ireland, on Sunday, April 27, 2008, said that the Dolphins want Taylor back for the 2008 season
2008 Miami Dolphins season
The 2008 Miami Dolphins season was the organization's 39th season in the National Football League and 43rd overall. During the regular season the Dolphins completed the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history, going from a 1–15 regular season record in 2007 to an 11–5 record in 2008...
and regard him as a team leader.
On Saturday, April 26, 2008, The St. Petersburg Times
St. Petersburg Times
The St. Petersburg Times is a United States newspaper. It is one of two major publications serving the Tampa Bay Area, the other being The Tampa Tribune, which the Times tops in both circulation and readership. Based in St...
reported that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
had agreed to trade at least a second round pick, and perhaps others, to the Dolphins for Taylor. However, when the second round pick was traded to Jacksonville, the paper removed the story from its website. Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Jon David Gruden is an American football analyst and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seven seasons and prior to that the Oakland Raiders for four seasons. In his first year as the head coach of Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl XXXVII, defeating the Raiders whom he had...
, when asked about trade talks stated, “There have been some trade rumors and I don’t think we’re any different than anybody else. When you’re talking about high-profile players, we’re going to pick up the phone and see what’s going on. It’s part of our job.”
On July 20, 2008, Taylor was traded to the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
for a second-round pick in 2009
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
and a sixth-round pick in 2010
2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
. The trade came after the Redskins lost two defensive ends - Phillip Daniels
Phillip Daniels
Phillip Bernard Daniels is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1996 NFL Draft...
and Alex Buzbee
Alex Buzbee
Alex Buzbee is a defensive end for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
- to season-ending injuries on the first day of training camp.
On March 2, 2009, Taylor was released by the Washington Redskins for refusing to participate in off-season conditioning programs claiming he wanted to be closer to his family in Florida.
Second stint with Dolphins
On May 13, 2009, Taylor signed a one-year deal with the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for $1.1 million with $400,000 in incentives. On November 1, Taylor set the NFL record for most fumble returns for a touchdown with a 48-yard return against the Dolphins' rivals, the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
New York Jets
Taylor signed with the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
on April 20, 2010. On September 19, 2010 he sacked New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
quarterback Tom Brady
Tom Brady
Thomas Edward Patrick "Tom" Brady, Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . After playing college football at Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft.He has played in four Super Bowls,...
, giving him 128.5 sacks in his career, the 10th most in NFL history. With 132.5 sacks at the end of the regular season, he is now tied for 8th most sacks in a career with Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Taylor
Lawrence Julius Taylor , nicknamed "L.T.", is a Hall of Fame former American football player. Taylor played his entire professional career as a linebacker for the New York Giants in the National Football League...
and defensive end Leslie O'Neal
Leslie O'Neal
Leslie O'Neal is a former football defensive end who played 13 years in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, and the Kansas City Chiefs from 1986 to 1999....
. On January 23, 2011 Taylor played in his first Conference Championship game in his productive 14-year career but only recorded 2 tackles while the Jets lost 24-19 against the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
, falling one game short of the Super Bowl for the second straight year.
After a subpar season with the team, the Jets released Taylor on February 28, 2011.
Third stint with Dolphins
On August 1, 2011, Taylor signed with the Miami DolphinsMiami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for a third stint.
Awards
Taylor has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year award and the 2007 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the only league honor that recognizes both on-field achievements and off-the-field contributions. Taylor is also a six-time Pro Bowl selection (2000, 2002, 2004–2007), a four-time First or Second Team All-Pro (2000–2002, 2006), a two-time NFL Alumni Association Defensive Lineman of the Year (2005, 2006), and the NFL Alumni Association Pass Rusher of the Year (2000).Taylor has also won the "AFC Defensive Player of the Week" Award seven times which is fifth most ever by a defensive player, for the following performances:
- 10/13/02 vs. Denver: 5 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 1 FF
- 12/15/02 vs. Oakland: 8 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 2 FFs
- 11/23/03 vs. Washington: 9 Tackles, 2 Sacks
- 11/28/04 vs. San Francisco: 7 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR
- 11/27/05 vs. Oakland: 6 Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 Safety
- 11/5/06 vs. Chicago: 3 Tackles, 1 Sack, 1 FF, 1 INT returned for a TD
- 11/19/06 vs. Minnesota: 4 Tackles, 1 Sack, 2 FFs, 1 INT returned for a TD
Along with winning seven "AFC Defensive Player of the Week" Awards, Taylor has also won three "NFC/AFC Defensive Player of the Month" Awards which is the third most ever by a defensive player (trailing only Bruce Smith and John Randle
John Randle
John Anthony Randle played defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings and the Seattle Seahawks of the NFL. On February 6, 2010 he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Born in Mumford, Texas, Randle was raised poor, and worked odd jobs when he was young. His brother Ervin Randle played as...
) for the following performances:
- October 2002 - 15 Tackles, 4 Sacks, 2 FFs
- November 2002 - 15 Tackles, 5.5 Sacks, 1 FF
- November 2006 - 9 Tackles, 2 Sacks, 3 FFs, 2 INTs returned for TDs, 1 Blocked FG
Taylor has also won numerous team awards, including the Dolphins Newcomer of the Year Award (1997), the "Dan Marino
Dan Marino
Daniel Constantine "Dan" Marino, Jr. is a retired American football quarterback who played for the Miami Dolphins in the National Football League...
" Team MVP Award a record four times (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006), and the "Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
" Team Leadership Award twice (2002, 2006).
Dancing with the Stars
- Week 1: Taylor and partner Edyta SliwinskaEdyta SliwinskaEdyta Śliwińska is a professional ballroom dancer. She is best known for her appearances on the American version of the reality television series Dancing with the Stars. Śliwińska appeared on all of the first ten seasons of the American series, but did not return for the eleventh.- Early life...
performed the foxtrot and received a score of 22 (out of 30) from the judges. He was dubbed an "early favorite" by the judges. - Week 2: Judge Len GoodmanLen GoodmanLeonard Gordon 'Len' Goodman is a British professional ballroom dancer, dance judge, and coach. He is a leading personality on television dance programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars and runs a ballroom dance school in Dartford, Kent.-Early life and career:Goodman was...
told Taylor, "You're a winner," after Taylor and Sliwinska's MamboMambo (dance)Mambo .In the late 1940s, Perez Prado came up with the dance for the mambo music and became the first person to market his music as "mambo". After Havana, Prado moved his music to Mexico, where his music and the dance was adopted. The original mambo dance was characterized by freedom and...
. The pair received a score of 27 as judge Bruno TonioliBruno TonioliBruno Tonioli is an Italian choreographer and TV personality who appears as a judge on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing for BBC TV in the UK, and its American adaptation Dancing with the Stars on ABC TV in the US, Tonioli co-created and appeared on the BBC talent show DanceX...
called Taylor "the Mambo King." They were asked to perform the encore on the results show. - Week 3: Goodman told Taylor, "One week you're a rooster, the next week you're a feather duster," as Taylor's JiveJive (dance)In Ballroom dancing, Jive is a dance style in 4/4 time that originated in the United States from African-Americans in the early 1930s. It was originally presented to the public as 'Jive' in 1934 by Cab Calloway. It is a lively and uninhibited variation of the Jitterbug, a form of Swing dance...
garnered a score of 23 from the judges. - Week 4: Taylor and Sliwinska danced what Goodman labeled "a 'wow'" of a Viennese WaltzViennese WaltzViennese Waltz is the genre of a ballroom dance. At least three different meanings are recognized. In the historically first sense, the name may refer to several versions of the waltz, including the earliest waltzes done in ballroom dancing, danced to the music of Viennese Waltz.What is now called...
, and after receiving a score of 29, Taylor proudly announced that "the feather duster lives, baby." - Week 5: Tonioli said Taylor was a "love god" after his RumbaRumba (dance)Rumba is a dance term with two quite different meanings.In some contexts, "rumba" is used as shorthand for Afro-Cuban rumba, a group of dances related to the rumba genre of Afro-Cuban music. The most common Afro-Cuban rumba is the guaguancó...
scored a 27. - Week 6: Taylor and Sliwinska danced the Cha-cha-chaCha-cha-cha (dance)The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953...
and scored a 24. Judge Goodman said they "captured the flavor of the dance." Judge Inaba applauded his effort despite the cha-cha-cha not being the easiest dance for someone of his stature. - Week 7: First, Taylor danced the QuickstepQuickstepThe quickstep is a light-hearted member of the standard ballroom dances. The movement of the dance is fast and powerfully flowing and sprinkled with syncopations. The upbeat melodies that quickstep is danced to make it suitable for both formal and informal events...
to a score of 29, prompting Goodman to say, "With performances like that, you're in the final." Later on, Taylor and Edyta danced the Paso Doble to the NFL Monday Night FootballMonday Night FootballMonday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series...
theme and scored of 26. Taylor wore eye blackEye blackEye black is a grease applied under the eyes to reduce glare. It is often used by baseball and American football players, where sunlight or stadium lights can impair vision of an airborne ball. Eye black has been used for centuries to help reduce the glare of the sun.Traditional grease consists of...
as part of his costume. The combined score of 55 was tops among all dancing duos for Week 7. They were asked to perform their Quickstep as an encore on the results show. - Week 8: Taylor and Sliwinska first danced the TangoTango (ballroom)Ballroom Tango is a ballroom dance that branched away from its original Argentine roots by allowing European, American, Hollywood, and competitive influences into the style and execution of the dance....
and scored a 29. Then they danced the Samba and scored a 23 for a total score of 52 (the lowest scoring Latin dance of the night). The audience booed the 7 that Judge Len Goodman gave them. - Week 10: Taylor and Sliwinska danced and got their 1st perfect score 30/30. Taylor said to Kristi Yamaguchi, "Kristi, it does feel good."
Performances
| Week # | Dance/Song | Judges' score | Result | ||
| Inaba | Goodman | Tonioli | |||
| 1 | Foxtrot/ "Pride and Joy" | 7 | 8 | 7 | Safe |
| 2 | Mambo/ "Lupita Perez Prado Dámaso Pérez Prado was a Cuban bandleader, musician , and composer. He is often referred to as the 'King of the Mambo'.His orchestra was the most popular in mambo... " |
9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 3 | Jive/ "I Got a Woman I Got a Woman "I Got a Woman" is a song co-written and recorded by American R&B/soul musician Ray Charles and released as a single in December 1954 on the Atlantic label as Atlantic 45-1050 b/w "Come Back Baby." Both sides later appeared on his 1957 album Ray Charles .-Origin:The song builds on... " |
8 | 7 | 8 | Safe |
| 4 | Viennese Waltz/ "It's a Man's Man's Man's World It's a Man's Man's Man's World "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" is a song by James Brown and Betty Jean Newsome. Brown recorded it on February 16, 1966 in a New York studio and released it as a single later that year. It reached #1 on the Billboard Top R&B Singles charts and #8 in the Billboard Hot 100... " |
10 | 9 | 10 | Safe |
| 5 | Rumba/ "You're All I Need To Get By You're All I Need to Get By "You're All I Need to Get By" is a song recorded by the American R&B/soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and released on Motown Records' Tamla label in 1968. It was the basis for the 1995 single "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By" from Method Man and Mary J... " |
9 | 9 | 9 | Safe |
| 6 | Cha-Cha-Cha Cha-cha-cha (dance) The Cha-cha-cha is the name of a dance of Cuban origin.It is danced to the music of the same name introduced by Cuban composer and violinist Enrique Jorrín in 1953... / "Best of My Love Best of My Love (The Emotions song) "Best of My Love" is a disco song by the band The Emotions released as a single from their album Rejoice . The song was composed by Maurice White and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire. Earth, Wind & Fire would later team up with the Emotions for the 1979 hit "Boogie Wonderland"... " |
8 | 8 | 8 | Safe |
| 7 | Quickstep/ "The Dirty Boogie The Dirty Boogie The Dirty Boogie is the third album from the swing band The Brian Setzer Orchestra. The album is considered as the breakthrough for the band, with their first single being a cover of Louis Prima's "Jump Jive an' Wail", which Prima had made popular in 1956 and included in his album The Wildest!... " Paso Doble/ "Heavy Action Heavy Action "Heavy Action" is a piece of music composed by Johnny Pearson. It is best known in the UK as the theme for Superstars, and in North America as the theme music for ABC and ESPN's Monday Night Football.-Superstars:... " |
10 9 |
9 8 |
10 9 |
Safe |
| 8 | Tango/ "Tango Barbaro Lalo Schifrin Lalo Schifrin is an Argentine composer, pianist and conductor. He is best known for his film and TV scores, such as the "Theme from Mission: Impossible". He has received four Grammy Awards and six Oscar nominations... " Samba/ "It Had Better Be Tonight" |
10 8 |
9 7 |
10 8 |
Last to be Called Safe |
| 9 Semi-finals |
Foxtrot/ "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off Let's Call the Whole Thing Off "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is a song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1937 film Shall We Dance where it was introduced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers as part of a celebrated dance duet on roller skates... " Paso Doble/ "El Gato Montes El gato montes El gato montes ' is an opera in three acts written by Manuel Penella in 1916 .-List of characters:*Soleá *Frasquita *Loliya *Father Antón... " |
9 9 |
10 9 |
9 9 |
Safe |
| 10 Finals |
Cha-Cha-Cha/ "Dancing on the Ceiling Dancing on the Ceiling Dancing on the Ceiling is Lionel Richie's third album, which was released on July 15, 1986. The title cut was the second biggest single from the album, reaching #1 in the U.S. and #7 in the UK... " Freestyle Street dance Street dance, more formally known as vernacular dance, is an umbrella term used to describe dance styles that evolved outside of dance studios in any available open space such as streets, dance parties, block parties, parks, school yards, raves, and nightclubs, etc... / "Miami Miami (Will Smith song) "Miami" is a 1998 single from Will Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style. It samples The Whispers' 1980 hit "And the Beat Goes On". The song charted at number 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 3 on the UK charts. It won an MTV VMA Best Male Video award. The video features an early... " Quickstep/ "The Dirty Boogie" |
8 9 10 |
8 9 10 |
8 9 10 |
Runner-Up |
Personal
His wife Katina is the sister of former teammate and fellow All-Pro Zach ThomasZach Thomas
Zachary Michael Thomas is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Tech....
. Taylor shares the same birthday with Thomas, although Taylor is one year younger. Taylor has three children: sons Isaiah and Mason, and daughter Zoey. Katina Taylor filed for divorce twice in 2006, citing irreconcilable differences
Irreconcilable differences
The concept of irreconcilable differences provides a possible ground for divorce in a number of jurisdictions.In Australian family law with no-fault divorce it is the sole ground, adequate proof being that the estranged couple have been separated more than 12 months.In the United States it can be...
and asking for custody of the children, but both times she withdrew the petitions.
Coincidentally, in 2008 when both Taylor and Thomas left the Dolphins for opposite sides of the Cowboys–Redskins rivalry, both changed their jersey numbers to 55, after wearing numbers 99 and 54 respectively with the Dolphins. While Thomas changed to number 55 for obvious reasons (Bobby Carpenter
Bobby Carpenter (American football)
Robert J. Carpenter III is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Ohio State.Carpenter has also played for the St...
already has possession of number 54 in Dallas), Taylor decided to change his number after a discussion with his wife to start a new chapter with the Redskins. Although fellow defensive end Andre Carter
Andre Carter
Rubin Andre Carter is an American football defensive end for the New England Patriots of the National Football League...
- who wears number 99 with the Redskins - was willing to let Taylor have the number, Taylor didn't press the issue, wanting to "let 99 stay in Miami".
Foundation
In 2004 Taylor and his wife Katina founded the Jason Taylor Foundation with the goal of improving the lives of children in South Florida. The Foundation has accomplished much in a short time, including launching the Jason Taylor Reading Room, an after-school programAfter-school activity
An after-school activity is any organized program which invites youth to participate outside of the traditional school day. Some programs are run by a primary or secondary school and some by externally funded non-profit or commercial organizations...
aimed at increasing literacy
Literacy
Literacy has traditionally been described as the ability to read for knowledge, write coherently and think critically about printed material.Literacy represents the lifelong, intellectual process of gaining meaning from print...
among inner city
Inner city
The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis. In the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, the term is often applied to the lower-income residential districts in the city centre and nearby areas...
children; re-naming the Holtz Children's Hospital's
Jackson Memorial Hospital
Jackson Memorial Hospital is a non-profit, tertiary care teaching hospital and the major teaching hospital of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine in Miami, Florida...
learning center as "The Jason Taylor Children's Learning Center;" providing eleven sixth grade students with college scholarships through the Take Stock in Children organization; creating the "Big Screens-Big Dreams" program to screen inspirational films for hundreds of student-athletes; and furnishing 60 children with $300 back-to-school shopping certificates as part of the "Cool Gear for the School Year" program.
Taylor has been widely recognized for his charitable work. In addition to winning the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, he has been named twice as one of The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
"Good Guys" and was honored by CBS Sports' James Brown with a JB Award, given annually to NFL players who have demonstrated a commitment to building better communities and stronger families.