Among the attendants at the funeral of NFL player Sean Taylor was actor Andy Garcia, who credited Taylor with saving the life of his niece and her 18-month-old daughter, who was in the house when broken into, and resulted in Taylor's murder.
Garcia in a statement to the Miami Herald concerning Taylor that “His heroic action on that tragic night saved both of their lives and is a testament to his humanity and courage. His spirit will live forever, in our hearts and through the legacy of his achievements and the family he leaves behind. To those of us who had the good fortune to count him as a member of our extended family, we will always remember him as a caring and loving individual."
Jackie Garcia hid in the bedroom with their daughter while Taylor confronted his assailants. He died from wounds resulting from being shot in the break-in.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said to those attending, "It's times like this that all of us struggle to find meaning in life. The NFL was proud of Sean Taylor. He loved football and football loved him back. But more importantly, it was what he was as a man and what he was becoming as a man."
Taylor's and Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs added, "I think he's going to have 100-year football games. He had excitement for life and certainly he can still live forever. For me personally, I want to play on Sean's team."
An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 attended his funeral. Sean Taylor was 24 at the time of his death.
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