I wrote a few weeks ago regarding allCanes’ attempt to do something for Sean Taylor. The Redskins and the NFL did their thing and we’ve been working behind the scenes to get something Canes-related set up.
Many of you were asking about jerseys, but that wasn’t doable at this time. One option was custom ordering a #26 replica jersey, but it’d have been the 2007 version. Getting a 2002-2003 era jersey was not doable.
I am personally going to start a petition in the next week or so to get Nike to release an authentic 2002-2003 era #26 jersey next year. Whether that does anything or falls on deaf ears, we’ll see. I still want the fan base to voice their opinion, so when the petition is live, please make sure to sign it.
Regarding what we went with, we brought back the U FAMILY concept we did for Bryan Pata last year. “Family” always seems to be the theme in times like these. The University of Miami football fraternity is a “family” and will always be. This pays tribute to that.
On the back, we added Sean’s #26 (in that ’02/’03) font and an “ST” helmet sticker emblem.
We expect the shirts in store in the coming week or so and we’re working on the charitable aspect of things, either giving a portion of the proceeds to the scholarship foundation already set up for baby Jackie Garcia or doing something different with the University of Miami.
As most of you know, allCanes always tries to step up in situations like these. We are crushed when anything as tragic as this happens to one of our own. We spent the past few weeks not really knowing what to do. We looked into many options and wanted to make sure that whatever was done truly paid tribute to Sean and was done for all the right reasons.
We’ve received hundreds of emails regarding what we could do and in the end, we felt the U FAMILY shirt was the strongest play. There is a grip of Redskins-related Taylor items available, but there was a real void regarding anything honoring his time with the Canes. That was the deciding factor in the end. Doing something for the Miami fan base who loved this kid and wanted to pay tribute to him.
Please check back with us in the coming week.