Posted on Wed, Dec. 19, 2007

Pedro Taylor said his son told him during the summer he wanted to stake his claim as one of the young, dominant safeties in the NFL by making the Pro Bowl again this February.

Sean Taylor earned the honor Tuesday, three weeks after he was fatally shot during a burglary in his Palmetto Bay home at age 24.

Taylor's father said he received the news after a phone call from Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder, who flew the team to Miami for Taylor's funeral two weeks ago. Pedro Taylor said the news ''brought a smile'' to his face.

''It was definitely very exciting to hear,'' he said. ``I think Sean had put into his mind he wanted to be more dedicated to football. He wanted to get back to the Pro Bowl and show people what great potential he had.''

Taylor, a former standout at Miami Gulliver Prep and the University of Miami, was leading the NFC with five interceptions at the time of his death. He also was the leading vote-getter among fans at the time.

He is believed to be the second player to make an all-star team after his death, joining former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Pelle Lindbergh, who died in an auto accident in 1985.

Taylor had made the Pro Bowl in 2006 as an alternate and then played after a player withdrew. Known as one of the game's biggest hitters during his first three years in the league, the Redskins allowed Taylor to roam more freely this season. It allowed him to excel in pass defense and made more of the plays he was known for at UM when he led the nation with 10 interceptions in 2003.

His father said the family would be honored to attend the Pro Bowl on Taylor's behalf if invited by the NFL. Last year, family members flew to Hawaii for the game.

''Sean was definitely proud to be there last year,'' he said. ``We'd be more than honored to represent him this year.''

Taylor was honored last Friday at halftime of last Friday's Class 5A state championship game in Orlando when he was selected to Florida's All-Century High School football team. His longtime girlfriend Jackie Garcia and their 18-month daughter were there to accept the honor and a plaque on his behalf.

''We've always been very proud of all of Sean's accomplishments,'' said Pedro Taylor, who said he returned to work as the police chief in Florida City the Friday after his son was buried.

``It's no different now. The compassion everyone has shown us and Sean has really touched our hearts. This is another one of those moments.''