![]() They saw me work and grind and fight for this team, for this city. And it helped me realize that people saw me. That sign just brought back all the memories of what I’d gone through over the years - all the hard work, the doubters, just … everything. Seeing that sign, I basically lost it right then and there. I didn’t get into the game, but I’ll never forget, after it ended, I was taking a moment on the field to let it all sink in since I knew it might be my last game in Washington, and I saw this guy in the stands holding up a sign. Sam got the start in that one and led us to a win. It might seem like a little thing, but there’s this one moment from that last home game against Dallas this past year that will stick with me forever. This team, and the people of Washington, I just cannot thank you guys enough for the support and encouragement you showed me. I’m getting emotional just sitting here thinking about it. Look, I’m not gonna lie: It’s heartbreaking to be leaving. I just kept thinking, like, This is waaaaaay bigger than just you.Īnd, honestly, during my time in Washington, that was one of the main things that I kept coming back to again and again: how fortunate I was to land on a team with a fan base like this one - and in a city that loves football as much as you all. Every time it’d pop in there I’d be like, Nah! You know what would be even better? If we got this done and beat the GOAT. Then I would sit down on the bench, and I’d do everything I could to erase that thought from my mind. This might buy you a couple more years in the league. Right around the middle of the third quarter, when we’d made it a one-possession game and were moving the ball pretty good, there was this moment on the sidelines where … I mean I’m a human being, right? So for a second, I couldn’t help but have it creep into my brain like … Man, Taylor, you’re playing a nice game here. (And I’ve had a lot of fun playing football over the years.) Just grinding and battling and using every last bit of energy I had to try and get us that win.Īnd I’ll tell you something that maybe I shouldn’t … but whatever. That day, I gotta say, even though the end result wasn’t what we all wanted … it was probably the most fun I’ve ever had on a football field. Have the time of your life and show everyone what you’re made of. And then just telling myself - excuse my language - F*** it! Let’s Go!!!!! It was basically just like, Let’s sling it today, man. I remember shaking my head, almost in disbelief. ![]() Undersized, under-recruited, undrafted, five different NFL teams, practice squads, waiver claims, the XFL, the whole thing. Like, are you kidding me? A month removed from sleeping on my sister’s couch and typing up term papers - and now I’m starting an NFL playoff game against Tom Brady, the GOAT.īefore I ran out of the tunnel for that game, I remember looking out at the field, and then up into the stands … and just thinking about my whole journey. Then, four weeks later, after a bunch of unexpected twists, Coach Rivera sits me down and tells me I’m going to be starting at QB against the Bucs. I went back home, lived at my sister’s place for a while, took some classes online at ODU, and, before I knew it, I got the call to come to Washington as an emergency quarterback. And then, right before we got off the phone, he paused for a second and said: “Listen, man … maybe don’t hang up the cleats just yet. He talked to me about finishing my degree, and what steps I’d need to take to go the coaching route. He was someone who believed in me from the beginning of my career, so I called him up and asked if he knew of any coaching opportunities. I knew the OC in Washington at the time, Scott Turner. I was actually trying to become a coach at that point, because I didn’t know what else I’d do after retiring from football. So in my mind it was like: You know what, this might be it for you. Before I got the call to come to Washington a few years ago, I thought I was pretty much done playing football.Ĭovid was just starting to take hold, and I was in the XFL, with no real job prospects bubbling up in the NFL.
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