Yahoo News Sean Taylor's Daughter Jackie to Wear Late Father's Number for UNC Volleyball Team
Sean Taylor wore the No. 21 for three NFL seasons before he was tragically killed at age 24 in a 2007 home invasion
G Fiume/Getty Images; Alika Jenner via AP
Sean Taylor (left) and Jackie TaylorNFL player Sean Taylor's daughter is planning on keeping her father's memory alive every time she suits up for a volleyball game.
Jackie Taylor, Sean’s daughter and a new member of the University of North Carolina volleyball team, has decided to wear her father’s number, 21, UNC confirmed on Thursday, June 27, via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).
“Like father, like daughter 🤝 Freshman Jackie Taylor will wear No. 21 as a Tar Heel, honoring her dad, Sean Taylor,” the post read.
During three of his four seasons with Washington, Sean wore the number before he was tragically killed at age 24 in a 2007 home invasion. Jacke was only 18 months old at the time. No Washington player has worn the number since, according to Yahoo! Sports.
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UNC head coach Mike Schall had high praise for Jackie as a new member of the team.
“Playing the middle blocker position is difficult, and Jackie's ability to learn quickly from her outstanding coaches has been important to her development," he said in a statement on the team's website. "Her entire family has been an integral part of her success, and we are excited to officially welcome them all to the Carolina Family."
Related: Washington Football Team President Apologizes for 'Short Notice' of Sean Taylor's Jersey Retirement
Ranked as the No. 3 recruit in Florida and the recipient of the 2022 Gulliver Award for Female Athlete of the Year, Jackie previously honored her dad during her time at his alma mater, Gulliver Prep. There she wore No. 1, the same number he wore as a member of the school’s football team, per Yahoo! Sports.
On April 1, Jackie paid tribute to her father in honor of his birthday. The college volleyball player shared a throwback photo of Sean holding her when she was a baby on Instagram.
"Happy Heavenly Birthday, Dad! Your spirit and legacy lives on in my heart, guiding and inspiring me every day. Here’s to you, Dad, and the unforgettable impact you’ve made on me! I will always look up to you…. I love you always! #21❤️👼🏽🪽," she captioned the post.
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