As he watched the 2025 NFL draft on TV at his son’s draft get together Friday night time in South Florida, Jason Taylor couldn’t imagine his eyes, which instantly flooded with tears.
Taylor’s 20-year-old son, LSU tight finish Mason Taylor, was drafted by the Jets within the second spherical with the forty second general decide, including a much-needed expertise to a depleted place.
Taylor, a Corridor of Fame go rusher with 139 ¹/₂ profession sacks who made his title with the Miami Dolphins, performed one season for the Jets in 2010, producing six sacks and two compelled fumbles.
Taylor’s season with the Jets was the final yr the Jets made the playoffs, dropping within the AFC Championship in January of 2011.
When that factoid was delivered to his consideration Friday night time, Taylor was stunned, saying, “I didn’t know that. Let’s change that.’’
Requested what it’ll be like for him when the Jets and his son play the Dolphins, Taylor mentioned, “[I’m] so recognized with that franchise, I clearly love, love, love the Miami Dolphins and their followers. However as you recognize, this isn’t my first rodeo being on the opposite facet of the tracks, so I’ve received to say it: ‘J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.’ ’’
Taylor was consistently blotting away tears as he spoke about Mason as a Jet.
“You actually can’t put it into phrases,’’ he mentioned. “I’m a really emotional man in terms of my youngsters, so clearly I used to be crying and overcome with pleasure for him.’’
Taylor mentioned the match for Mason with newly employed, no-nonsense Jets coach Aaron Glenn is ideal.
“Mason’s all about ball,’’ Taylor mentioned. “He loves soccer. He loves working at it. He’s not actual huge on all of the auxiliary issues that include it. He’s going to be in an ideal spot to concentrate on his sport.’’
Requested what recommendation he’ll give his son as he embarks on an NFL profession, Taylor mentioned, “To start with, be the place your ft are. Benefit from the second. That’s one of many issues I remorse for my skilled journey — not all the time taking within the second, however attempting to chase the subsequent factor.
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“My biggest workforce success was in New York. Part of my coronary heart has all the time been in New York, the best metropolis on the planet. I adore it and I’m glad to have an opportunity to go play there.
“This implies the whole lot … to me as a father this second in time,’’ Taylor added. “The solar has set on my profession. It’s superior to have the ability to sit again and watch him, and for him to stroll via the identical place I used to be and be in the identical locker room and take that very same path … you’re attempting to make the cry once more. I’m combating it.’’
After which the tears flowed once more.
