Fans and players shocked by Taylor shooting

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The NFL and football fans reacted with grief and shock at the news that Washington Redskins Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor had died on Tuesday after being shot during an apparent burglary at his Miami home.

"This is the worst imaginable tragedy," said Redskins owner Daniel Snyder in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean's family."

Redskins fans had staged a candlelight vigil outside the team's training complex on Monday evening following reports that Taylor had been shot and airlifted to a Miami hospital.

Taylor, 24, the Redskins top pick in the 2004 NFL draft, was shot in the groin area severing his femoral artery according to police and local media and died early Tuesday morning of apparent blood loss.

"We're family, we're Redskins," said one fan on the Redskins Web site (www.redskins.com).

"It doesn't matter if you're a fan or a player if you work for an organization you're part of the Redskins family. If we're not there to support each other who is?"

The NFL reacted to the tragedy by saying it would honor Taylor at all games played this weekend.

A minute's silence will be observed at all stadiums and Redskins will wear a patch with his number 21 on their jerseys and helmets on Sunday when they host the Buffalo Bills.

"The entire NFL is deeply saddened by the death of Sean Taylor," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Sean's family, friends, team mates, and the Redskins' organization.

"This is a terrible tragedy involving the loss of a young man who leaves behind many people struggling to understand it.

"We will honor the memory of Sean Taylor at all games this weekend."

FANS' FAVORITE

In the hours following Taylor's death, grieving fans began to set up a makeshift memorial at the Redskins training ground in Ashburn, Virginia , dropping off flowers and notes of condolence.

"The District of Columbia government and its residents are saddened by the tragic loss of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor," said Washington mayor Adrian Fenty in a statement.

"He had come to epitomize what a Redskin player should be, hardworking, determined, focused and well respected not only by his peers, but by his fans," he said.

Taylor, who rarely spoke to reporters or granted interviews, was a favorite of Redskins fans and feared by opposing receivers because of his ferocious tackling.

He was tied for the National Football Conference lead for interceptions with five despite missing the last two games with a knee injury. Taylor had been recuperating at his home in Miami where he had starred at the University of Miami earning All-American honors.

"Sean loved football," Redskins head coach Joe Gibbs told a news conference. "All of us are going to work together, go forward together.

"Each person has to deal with it in their own way and I don't know how we'll do with it.

"But we'll go forward as a football team and we'll make our preparations and get ready to play this weekend."

Taylor's death was the second fatal shooting of a NFL player this year. Denver Broncos cornerback Darrent Williams was killed in a drive-by shooting on January 1.

(Writing by Steve Keating; editing by Rex Gowar)