Chase Young had his own way to pay tribute to Taylor. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Washington DE Chase Young pays tribute to Sean Taylor with facemask

By Adam Stites | Last updated 10/17/21

The Washington Football Team retired the jersey number of former star safety Sean Taylor during a ceremony Sunday, nearly 14 years after he was killed in 2007. On the field, Washington pass-rusher Chase Young had his own way to pay tribute to Taylor during a Week 6 game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Young, 22, striped his facemask with athletic tape, a signature style of Taylor.

Chase Young taped his face mask to honor Sean Taylor ❤️

(via @WashingtonNFL) pic.twitter.com/IIazNAmTOT
— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2021

Taylor was the fifth overall selection in the 2004 NFL Draft and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2006. During the 2007 season, Taylor died after he was shot by invaders at his Miami home. He was posthumously named to his second Pro Bowl and became a member of Washington's Ring of Fame in 2008.

The jersey retirement ceremony was the subject of controversy, as it came on only a few days' notice amid an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and abuse in the Washington Football Team administration. In a letter to fans, team president Jason Wright apologized for the poor planning and wrote "we screwed up the execution" of the event.

Young wasn't the only Washington player to pay tribute to Taylor on Sunday. Wide receiver DeAndre Carter arrived to the stadium wearing a Taylor jersey.

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