Jackie Taylor, daughter of NFL icon Sean Taylor, cherishes her father’s memory at every opportunity. Sean, a celebrated football player, and his fiancée, Jackie Garcia-Haley, welcomed their daughter in 2006. The couple first crossed paths at Gulliver Prep in Miami, where both excelled in sports, before continuing their relationship as student-athletes at the University of Miami.
Garcia-Haley remarked to the Miami Herald in 2023 that Jackie resembles her father in many ways, saying, “She has his same exact smile, laugh, hands, feet, legs.” She emphasized Sean’s deep bond with his daughter, noting, “He was very attached to her. He was so proud.”
Jackie Taylor honors her late father, NFL legend Sean Taylor, by proudly wearing his iconic No. 21 on the UNC volleyball team as a tribute to his lasting legacy
Playing for the Washington Commanders (formerly the Redskins) for four seasons, Sean Taylor was a Pro Bowl player who tragically lost his life in 2007 at age 24 due to a shooting during a burglary at his home. At that time, Jackie was only 18 months old.
Now a college student and volleyball player at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she honors her father’s legacy by wearing his jersey number, 21, on the court. Sean’s number was officially retired by Washington in 2021, marking only the fourth instance of jersey retirement in the franchise’s 89-year history.
For Jackie, preserving her father’s legacy is paramount. She expressed to ESPN in 2023, “My biggest thing has always been just making sure his name stays alive. It’s never felt like a burden, but it’s just felt like a part of me to connect with him.”
Born in Florida, Jacqueline Michelle Marie Taylor is the only child of Sean and Jackie. She entered the world on May 12, 2006, and grew up in Miami. Garcia-Haley shared with ESPN that Sean’s connection with Jackie was profound: “The birth of Jackie just grounded him more as a person. He always wanted to be a father. I think he felt more complete.”
Jackie’s parents met on their first day at Gulliver Prep, where Sean achieved recognition as a state champion in track and football, while Garcia-Haley excelled in soccer. Their relationship blossomed during their college years at the University of Miami.
Initially, Jackie focused on soccer and aspired to become a dancer, but she shifted back to sports at her mother’s encouragement in eighth grade to foster teamwork and friendships. Standing at 6’1″, she is only two inches shorter than her father was.
As a freshman at the University of North Carolina in the fall of 2024, Jackie is majoring in exercise and sports science. Her future plans include exploring nursing school or a career in sports broadcasting.
Like her father, Jackie is also an athlete, currently playing as a middle blocker on the UNC volleyball team. Head coach Mike Schall praised her rapid learning and adaptability, noting, “Jackie’s ability to learn quickly from her outstanding coaches has been important to her development.”
During high school, Jackie earned recognition as a three-time letter winner, made all-county three times, and was the third-ranked recruit in Florida. In 2022, she received the Gulliver award for female athlete of the year and was named the 4A-2A player of the year in 2024. She was also part of Miami Elite, a club team she joined in 2021.
Garcia-Haley has observed Sean’s influence on Jackie’s competitive spirit, commenting to ESPN that the late football player believed in using intimidation to gain a psychological edge over opponents.
In tribute to her father, Jackie wears No. 21 while playing at UNC. The university acknowledged her decision, stating on X (formerly Twitter) in June 2024, “Like father, like daughter 🤝. Freshman Jackie Taylor will wear No. 21 as a Tar Heel, honoring her dad, Sean Taylor.”
On August 9, 2024, Jackie posted on Instagram, sharing excitement for the upcoming season with photos taken on campus. Previously, she wore No. 21 at Gulliver Prep and donned No. 1 for her club team, which was Sean’s number during his time at Gulliver.
Jackie also commemorates her father off the field. On his birthday, April 1, 2024, she posted a throwback photo of Sean holding her as a baby, captioning it with heartfelt words about his lasting impact on her life. In addition to her symbolic gestures, she wears a gold necklace adorned with three charms, including her father’s number.
Jackie has visited FedEx Field for events celebrating her father’s legacy, even receiving requests for autographs from fans. She and her family attended Sean’s jersey retirement ceremony on October 17, 2021, where the field was renamed Sean Taylor Road.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jackie shared with ESPN, “When I was younger, I didn’t really have a connection. So being able to participate in those things made me feel closer.”
Although she doesn’t actively seek out highlights of her father’s career online, Jackie has seen some of his best moments showcased during events. She has attended occasions like Alumni Weekend 2023 and the Commanders’ 2023 Season of Giving.
Plans for a statue honoring Sean are underway, with Jackie playing a role in its design. In a video posted on Instagram, she expressed her gratitude to the Commanders for their efforts to preserve her father’s legacy, saying, “I look forward to sharing plans in the future and learning more about my dad through this process.”
As the eldest sibling, Jackie has four younger siblings from her mother’s marriage to musician Shae Haley, who is part of the group N.E.R.D. An emotional moment occurred during a celebration of Jackie’s state volleyball title in 2023 when Garcia-Haley gifted her the helmet Sean wore during his high school championship victory in 2000. Jackie recalled, “My mom got really emotional. I just lost it and didn’t really say much about it. It was surreal.”
Jackie has gathered stories about her father over the years from family and friends. She recalled hearing how Sean was protective of her, emphasizing the depth of his care.
In addition to honoring her father’s memory, Jackie is active in charitable work, contributing to the Sean Taylor Legacy Project. She stated, “My dad worked really hard to make [his legacy] something. It’s always been something I never wanted to mess up or shy away from.”
Her involvement began with a project alongside Commanders alumni to build an outdoor learning lab at Burrville Elementary School in Washington, D.C., coinciding with the retirement of Sean’s number.
Jackie has since participated in various events in Miami and Washington and plans to continue her efforts while at UNC. Recent initiatives have included creating a clothing line benefiting gun violence prevention, hosting volleyball tournaments, and visiting Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami to support community service efforts.
She expressed to Miami’s Community News in 2024 that these activities help her connect with the community her father loved, stating, “He inspired kids to strive for greatness. He loved to be involved in his community.”
