Sean Taylor found greater fame after college in the National Football League.

But one thing he dreamed of was a diploma from the University of Miami, his girlfriend Jackie Garcia said Sunday night at a candlelight vigil for the slain football star.

''He was planning to come back and attend school in January,'' she said, her voice quivering. ``It was his dream to graduate.''

Garcia thanked everyone for their prayers.

Pedro ''Pete'' Taylor spoke of his son's smile, his dedication and his humility and remembered him as a family man.

''Sean is with God,'' Pete Taylor told several hundred people gathered at a candlelight vigil outside UM's BankUnited Center.

Pete Taylor spoke of walking into the UM locker room with Sean, who warned him against stepping on the big ''U'' on the floor.

''We don't step on the U,'' Taylor recalled his son saying. ``We uplift the U.''

''Sean loved the U,'' Taylor added.

Later, asked what he would miss most about his son, Pete Taylor said: ``His smile, his dedication and his humbleness.''

''Sean was the type of guy if you give him a challenge, he's going to accept it and try to get it done,'' said UM football coach Randy Shannon.

Taylor's family and friends lined rows of seats outside the BankUnited Center.

Garcia and Taylor's 18-month-old daughter, Jackie, sat with an orange and green pacifier in her mouth.

Many wore memorial T-shirts with a picture of Sean in his Washington Redskins jersey on the back.

A banner hung on stage reading ''SEAN TAYLOR ALWAYS A CANE'' and bearing the signatures of students. It was given to his family after the vigil.

His framed UM jersey and a picture of Sean in his Canes uniform sat by bouquets of white lilies and daisies and orange roses.

Officers of the Florida City Police Department, where Pete Taylor is chief, stood in the crowd.

A choir sang of God as people in the audience touched candles, lighting row upon row. Some in the audience wiped away tears.

The school's band played the alma mater. Then there was a moment of silence.

''I want to thank each and every one across the country for the love you've shown Sean,'' Pete Taylor said as he left the vigil. He wore a No. 21 pin on his lapel. ``I'm sure he's smiling.''

Brad Ames, 22, a recent UM graduate, said he watched Taylor when he played for the Canes and continued to follow him when he put on a Redskins jersey.

''It was a pretty tough week,'' Ames said. ``The least I can do is show my support.''

Shortly before the vigil on Sunday, a steady stream of family members, friends and strangers filed into the Second Baptist Church in Richmond Heights for a viewing.

By sundown, hundreds had arrived at the church. They came by foot, car and chartered bus to catch one last intimate glimpse of the football star.

As Taylor's family pulled away in limos and SUVs, a long line of childhood friends, former teammates and high school coaches, and many who knew Taylor only from the games they watched on TV, formed outside the church.

Two by two, they filed into and out of the sanctuary, where Taylor lay in a dark suit, shrouded by a red veil.

Cory Johnson, who coached Taylor when he was a freshman at Killian Senior High, said he wants to remember the athlete as the kid down the street, not the man in a coffin.

''I wouldn't want to remember him like that,'' said Johnson, 40. ``He was so full of life.''

Thousands are expected for the funeral service Monday at Florida International University's Pharmed Arena.

The entire Redskins organization and several former UM players will be among the mourners. Players across the National Football League wore stickers with Taylor's No. 21 on Sunday.

Taylor died of a gunshot wound early Tuesday, a day after he was shot by burglars at his Palmetto Bay home.

The former University of Miami star, wielding a machete, had surprised the burglars in the bedroom of his home as Garcia and their 18-month-old daughter hid under the covers.

Four young men from Fort Myers have been charged in connection with his death.

Jason Mitchell, 19, appeared in court Sunday and was denied bail.

Venjah Hunte, 20, Eric Rivera, 17, and Charles Wardlow, 18, were denied bail Saturday.

Police said the men did not expect Taylor to be home and broke in intending to burglarize the home.