Jason Taylor 1st Ballot Hall of Famer

It’s official. Jason Taylor’s bust will be enshrined in the annals of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Joining our beloved Dolphin in the 2017 Hall of Fame class will be Morten Andersen, LaDainian Tomlinson, Terrell Davis, and Kurt Warner.

Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

In his 15 year career, Taylor amassed an astounding 139.5 sacks, 8 INT’s, and 3 defensive TD’s. A consummate professional, a handsome man, and a notorious New York Jets hater! (Of course, he begrudgingly played for them for 1 season, but let’s not talk about that anymore.) He wore his Jets hate with pride.

Jason Taylor enters rare company, as he is only the 3rd defensive end since 1980 to get enshrined on the first ballot (joining Reggie White and Bruce Smith) and just the 5th defensive end to enter the Hall of Fame on the first try in NFL history (H/T Dave Hyde).

My formative years of being a Dolphins fan involved Jason Taylor and his defensive mates Zach Thomas (HOF coming for him soon, IMO), Sam Madison, and Pat Surtain. For a guy who played in the 240-250 pound range, he would hip toss dudes 60 pounds heavier than him like it was nothing. His speed rush and first step left even the nimblest OL flat-footed. Young pass rushers should watch Taylor’s tape like it’s the textbook that defines pass rushing.

Congratulations to Jason Taylor and his family on this momentous occasion!