Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was an American football free safety who played for the NFL’s Washington Redskins franchise. Collegiately he played for the University of Miami, where he helped lead the Hurricanes to a national championship in 2001. Due to his ferocious style of hitting, several of his pro teammates nicknamed him “Meast,” a reference to “half man, half beast.” Among his many football accomplishments, Taylor was widely considered one of the hardest hitting defensive secondary players in the NFL.

Taylor was murdered on November 27, 2007, at the age of 24, dying from critical injuries from gunshots by intruders at his Miami area home on November 26, 2007. His death led to an outpouring of national support and sympathy, especially in the Washington D.C. area where Taylor was a fan favorite as a Redskin. In honor of Taylor’s passing one year ago, I caught up with DC rapper Wale,  he discusses the moment he heard the news, the love, and the man Sean Taylor was.