Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II. (Paramount Pictures)
Paramount Pictures
The Washington Commanders will build a statue to honor their late former safety, Sean Taylor, two years after unveiling a memorial installation that was criticized by their fans — and has already been permanently removed.
Taylor, whose No. 21 was retired in 2022, becomes the organization’s first former player to be memorialized with a statue. Taylor’s daughter, Jackie, will be involved in helping design the statue. She was 18 months old when he was murdered in November 2007.
“I’m just thankful for the whole process,” said Taylor, a freshman volleyball player at North Carolina who wears her father’s former number. “I think the fans will really enjoy what they’re going to see and getting the second opportunity, you don’t really get many second opportunities. The fact that we’re able to get a second opportunity is nice … There’s a lot of excitement.”
Taylor made it clear that her family was appreciative of the previous memorial installation, which was displayed inside the stadium.
“Any opportunity we get to honor my dad, we’re going to take it positively,” she said in a video conference call.
But many fans felt different, pointing out that the initial installation failed to include the proper jersey (Reebok instead of Nike) and that they didn’t apply pieces of tape all over his facemask — as Taylor did while playing. The organization soon altered the installation to include these changes, as well as using the proper style of socks and cleats.
The Commanders informed the Taylor family that the installation has been removed. Washington hosts New England in the final preseason game Sunday night.
“After careful consideration, we have decided as an organization to remove the Sean Taylor installation from Commanders Field,” a team spokesperson said in a statement. “We realize that the installation fell short in honoring one of our franchise’s most iconic players. Together with the Taylor family, we are working on a plan, which includes unveiling a statue that will rightfully celebrate the legacy and impact that Sean had on our organization, fanbase and community. The Washington Commanders are committed to honoring our legends in a first-class manner.”
There is no set date to unveil the statue; the team will soon meet with the sculptor, according to a team source. The source also said they plan to “honor our legends” in future years, including whenever they move to a new stadium. The team has not yet settled on a new site but have targeted 2030 as to when they’d like to open their next stadium.
Taylor also said in a statement that she was “filled with gratitude that my dad will forever be a part of the burgundy and golf family.”
Washington will retire Hall of Famer Darrell Green’s No. 28 at halftime of a Week 7 game vs. Carolina. The organization also has retired the jersey numbers of Sammy Baugh (33), Bobby Mitchell (49) and Sonny Jurgensen (9).
A group led by Josh Harris bought the team from Dan Snyder in July 2023; Snyder had been close with the Taylor family.
Taylor played for Washington from 2004 to 2007, becoming one of the organization’s most popular players for a new generation.
Numerous NFL safeties have worn his No. 21 since his death — including former Washington safety Landon Collins while he was with the New York Giants — often citing his style of play as the reason.
At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds Taylor was an intimidating presence in the middle of the field. He was considered a hard-hitting safety capable of big plays. He intercepted five passes in nine games of the 2007 season.
The Washington Commanders final preseason game is on Sunday night against the New England Patriots. Cut-down day is two days later.
This has been a fun training camp to monitor as there has been plenty of competition and new faces for this staff to evaluate. The areas I have been watching most this preseason have been wide receiver, offensive line, cornerback and safety.
As the offseason comes to an end, and the start of the regular season approaches, there still remains a few spots that are up for grabs. I have to imagine that Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have a pretty good idea of what the beef of this 53-man roster is going to look like, but questions still remain – who will claim WR6 (if they do indeed opt to keep six), whether they keep nine or ten offensive linemen, if three tight ends will be adequate, who will get the final two cornerback spots and will they opt for five or six safeties.
Below is my 53-man roster prediction. I do believe we’ll see more movement after teams cut down their rosters, so I expect this to remain pretty fluid until the end of next week.
Jayden Daniels
Marcus Mariota
Brian Robinson
Austin Ekeler
Michael Wiley
Terry Mclaurin
Dyami Brown
Olamide Zaccheaus
Luke McCaffrey
Jamison Crowder
Brycen Tremayne
Zach Ertz
John Bates
Ben Sinnott
Brandon Coleman (LT)
Nick Allegretti (LG)
Tyler Biadasz (C)
Sam Cosmi (RG)
Andrew Wylie (RT)
Cornelius Lucas (T)
Chris Paul (T/G)
Braeden Daniels (T/G)
Ricky Stromberg (G/C)
Michael Deiter (G/G)
Jonathan Allen
Daron Payne
Jer’Zhan Newton
John Ridgeway
Phidarian Mathis
Dorance Armstrong
Clelin Ferrell
Dante Fowler Jr
K.J. Henry
Jamin Davis
Bobby Wagner
Frankie Luvu
Jordan Magee
Anthony Pittman
Dominique Hampton
Emmanuel Forbes
Benjamine St-Juste
Michael Davis
Mike Sainristil
Noah Igbinoghene
Tariq Castro-Fields
Quan Martin
Jeremy Chinn
Darrick Forrest
Percy Butler
Tyler Owens
Cade York (K)
Tress Way (P)
Tyler Ott (LS)
Sam Hartman
Cole Turner
Chris Rodriguez
Austin Jones
Kaz Allen
Mitchell Tinsley
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
Armani Taylor-Prioleau
David Nwaogwugwu
Norell Pollard
Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Andre Jones Jr.
Chigozie Anusiem
Kyu Blu-Kelly
As Denzel Washington continues to flirt with onscreen retirement, an old friend recently got him to serve at least one more performance.
The Academy Award winner said he was “tremendously inspired” by director Ridley Scott‘s upcoming sequel Gladiator II, which premieres Nov. 22 in theaters, while hinting that he’s nearing the end of his acting career.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” he told Empire after last working with Scott on 2007’s American Gangster.
“We had a great go-round the first go-round and here we are. He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” added Washington. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”
Scott said the long-awaited sequel to his Oscar-winning 2000 movie is “the best thing I’ve ever made,” before clarifying, “One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ‘uns… it’s full-bore, brutal action.”
Denzel Washington plays Macrinus in Gladiator II. (Paramount Pictures)
Paramount Pictures
In Gladiator II, Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, who enters the Coliseum years after witnessing Maximus (played in the original by Russell Crowe) die at the hands of his uncle, Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).
After making his onscreen debut more than 40 years ago, Washington has added directing and producing to his resumé with such titles as Antwone Fisher (2002), The Great Debaters (2007), Fences (2016) and A Journal for Jordan (2021).
Washington previously hinted at his retirement from acting as he appeared at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach, Florida in June.
“The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera,” said Washington. “I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”
Is it time for Denzel Washington to hang up his acting chops?
The two-time Oscar winner appeared to tease his retirement in a new interview with Empire magazine, revealing that he has little interest in making any new films — except Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II.”
Washington, 69, stars as Macrinus in the upcoming action movie.
While promoting the project, the legendary actor expressed his lack of interest in movie-making, revealing the sword-swinging gladiator film was one of the only roles that got his engine revving lately.
“There are very few films left for me to make that I’m interested in, and I have to be inspired by the filmmaker, and I was tremendously inspired by Ridley,” Washington told Empire about why he agreed to join the highly anticipated “Gladiator” sequel.
The producer and director — who is arguably one of the best actors of his generation — did not disclose how many other roles are in his future.
Washington has paired up with Scott, 86, in the past. The duo teamed up for the 2007 thriller “American Gangster,” scoring several award nominations for their work on the film.
“We had a great go-round the first go-round and here we are. He’s engaged. He’s excited about life and his next film. He’s an inspiration,” Washington shared. “We should all want to feel like that at 86.”
Scott, who made the first Oscar-winning “Gladiator” film starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, and more, is confident about the sequel.
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever made. One of the best things. I’ve made a few good ’uns… it’s full-bore, brutal action,” the award-winning director told the magazine in a separate interview.
Scott can’t stop gushing over the film.
“It’s as good as the first one,” he told People at the “Alien: Romulus” premiere on August 12. “I didn’t say better. It’s as good.”
Besides Washington, the sequel also stars Paul Mescal as the lead and Pedro Pascal.
Washington has been a heavyweight in Hollywood for nearly 50 years. He’s been acting since the late ’70s, starring in blockbusters like “Man on Fire,” “The Equalizer,” “The Book of Eli,” “The Bone Collector,” “Remember The Titans,” and many more.
He won Academy Awards for his performances in “Glory” (1989) and “Training Day” (2001).
This isn’t the first time he’s talked about stepping away from acting.
In July, Washington appeared on a panel at the American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach and said, “The things that are going on for me professionally behind the camera are as important to me now as in front of the camera.”
“I think there’s less and less time I’ll be spending in front of the camera.”
He’s been dropping hints for a while.
“I’m in the yellow leaf of my career. To be quite honest, looking to do other things. So as far as acting, it’s gonna have to be an extreme challenge for me to be interested,” Washington told Entertainment Tonight in 2021. I’ve been talking to one or two of the top directors in the business, and we’re talking about maybe doing something. There’s not that much left for me to do as actor.”
“Gladiators II’ hits theaters on November 22, 2024.
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