Jason Taylor

Jason Taylor was born on September 1, 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a defensive end in the National Football League and is currently a member of the New York Jets.

Taylor was a third round draft pick, 73rd overall in the 1997 NFL Draft out of the University of Akron. He has been named to the Pro Bowl six times, named a First Team All-Pro three times and was the 2006 NFL Defensive Player of the Year according to the Associated Press.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03.htm He previously played for the Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins

Taylor was also awarded the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2007 for his work with the Jason Taylor Foundation to build a better future for children in South Florida. He is married and has three children with his wife Katina Taylor.http://www.jasontaylor99.com/ssp/bio/

After not being tendered a contract by the Miami Dolphins, Taylor became a free agent. Following contemplation of retirement or playing elsewhere, Taylor visited with the New York Jets, a team that he has history with regarding run ins with fans.

On April 20, 2010, it was announced that Taylor was ready to sign a two year, $13 million deal with the Jets, adding the active sack leader to their defense. It is expected to bolster further a defense that added cornerback Antonio Cromartie via trade from the San Diego Chargers earlier this offseason.http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5119963

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco once again pled his case to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about the Jets stockpiling talent, saying that the Jets were like the New York Yankees and asking if George Steinbrenner was running the team.http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5119963

Taylor was released by the Washington Redskins on March 2, 2009, following one year with the team. He then signed with the Dolphins on May 13, 2009. His one-year, $1.1 million contract is more than $7 million less than he would have made with the Redskins, but Taylor reportedly took the deal to allow his family to stay in Miami, Floridahttp://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4164099

Taylor posted 42 tackles, seven sacks, five pass defenses, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery that he returned 48 yards for a touchdown against the New York Jets on November 1, 2009 in a game the Dolphins would eventually win by a score of 30-25.http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03/touchdowns/2009/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TaylJa03.htm