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TRIBUTE TO SLAIN NFL STAR

MIAMI – Some 3,000 family, friends, fans – and a galaxy of civic and sports stars, including Jesse Jackson and OJ Simpson – packed a university arena for an emotional farewell yesterday to murdered NFL standout Sean Taylor.

The 24-year-old star safety was shot and killed in his home by intruders a week ago, and died last Tuesday after massive blood loss. Four men have been charged and a fifth is being sought.

“Even champions live in danger,” said Jackson, calling for better gun control. “We’ve accepted violence as the norm.”

Jackson sat with Taylor’s father, Florida City Police Chief Pedro Taylor. Filling another section of the Florida International University arena was the entire Washington Redskins team.

Taylor’s casket was surrounded by bouquets while a video display behind it showed Taylor from his days with the Redskins, his college days with the Miami Hurricanes, and in high school.

Taylor teammate Clinton Portis said seeing Taylor tackle another player was “invigorating” – a comment that generated some gentle laughs.

Portis also spoke of the change everyone saw Taylor undergo since the birth of his daughter, Jackie, named after her mom, Jackie Garcia, who was in the house when Taylor was shot.

“Sean was living for his child, living for his little girl,” Portis said.

Actor Andy Garcia, Jackie Garcia’s uncle, also attended the funeral; Jackie did not speak, but her sister, Caroline, did.

“My mom and I were speaking about how Sean looks at Jackie, that special look of love,” she said. “Sean, thank you for loving my sister the way you did.”

Taylor’s sister Jazmin also brought tears to mourners, recalling Taylor as “the best big brother I could ever ask for.

“I just want to see his smile one more time – he had the best smile in the world.”

Meanwhile, the four youths charged with killing Taylor were jailed in Fort Myers, awaiting a court hearing that could come as early as this morning.

With AP, AFP