The fallout from the Taylor divorce
Jason Taylor and his wife Katina are apparently getting a divorce and ordinarily that would be none of our business because it's a personal matter.
But unfortunately for the Taylors, the dynamic of this sad situation is that Katina Taylor happens to be Zach Thomas' sister. And Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor are not only teammates and stalwarts on Miami's defense, but they've been good friends as well.
The friendship is so close that Zach actually introduced Jason to Katina. In fact, he practically pushed these two good people together.
"The most awkward thing is looking at him and knowing they're related," Taylor said told The Herald in 1999. "[Zach] clearly got the short end of the beauty stick in the family. At first, it was strange. You kind of watch yourself if women come up and talk to you when you're around him, wondering what he might think, but we've all gotten used to it.
"We all hang out a lot together now. He introduced her to me after a game last season, you know? I knew she was fine right away, and he was all for it. He was the one who kept calling me and hooking her up with me. I had no intention of having a girlfriend, but when something that cool comes along you don't let it go."
They are apparently letting go now that Katina filed for a dissolution of marriage in Broward County court and requested custody of the three kids, the marital home, and alimony.
But the greater issue for Dolphins fans is how that will affect the lockerroom and onfield relationship between Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas.
Let there be no doubt that Thomas loves his teammate. But his family bond is unquestionable also. That was apparent when Zach, in talking about his sister and future brother-in-law, once told me:
"I want them to be together, I think it's great. The family loves Jason. But I told Jason if he was going to go there, make sure you don't hurt her. Don't mess with her mind, you know? If things don't work out, that happens. But if he does something to hurt her or mess her over, that I told him not to do."
Then Thomas paused and put it all in perspective:
"Because blood is thicker than water, you know?"
The question now is two-fold. Will Zach perceive that Jason messed with his sister's head? And if so, will team chemistry be affected?
I believe, whatever happens, Taylor and Thomas will be professional and not give a public grimmace to their private pain. But will that, in fact, be what is in their hearts?
Can't be as certain of that.
But unfortunately for the Taylors, the dynamic of this sad situation is that Katina Taylor happens to be Zach Thomas' sister. And Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor are not only teammates and stalwarts on Miami's defense, but they've been good friends as well.
The friendship is so close that Zach actually introduced Jason to Katina. In fact, he practically pushed these two good people together.
"The most awkward thing is looking at him and knowing they're related," Taylor said told The Herald in 1999. "[Zach] clearly got the short end of the beauty stick in the family. At first, it was strange. You kind of watch yourself if women come up and talk to you when you're around him, wondering what he might think, but we've all gotten used to it.
"We all hang out a lot together now. He introduced her to me after a game last season, you know? I knew she was fine right away, and he was all for it. He was the one who kept calling me and hooking her up with me. I had no intention of having a girlfriend, but when something that cool comes along you don't let it go."
They are apparently letting go now that Katina filed for a dissolution of marriage in Broward County court and requested custody of the three kids, the marital home, and alimony.
But the greater issue for Dolphins fans is how that will affect the lockerroom and onfield relationship between Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas.
Let there be no doubt that Thomas loves his teammate. But his family bond is unquestionable also. That was apparent when Zach, in talking about his sister and future brother-in-law, once told me:
"I want them to be together, I think it's great. The family loves Jason. But I told Jason if he was going to go there, make sure you don't hurt her. Don't mess with her mind, you know? If things don't work out, that happens. But if he does something to hurt her or mess her over, that I told him not to do."
Then Thomas paused and put it all in perspective:
"Because blood is thicker than water, you know?"
The question now is two-fold. Will Zach perceive that Jason messed with his sister's head? And if so, will team chemistry be affected?
I believe, whatever happens, Taylor and Thomas will be professional and not give a public grimmace to their private pain. But will that, in fact, be what is in their hearts?
Can't be as certain of that.
posted by Armando Salguero at 11:19 AM
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Armando- There's and Miami Senior High X-C Reunion on Thursday next week.
Please email me if you are interested:
dkeros@yahoo.com
Regards-
I'd hate for the worst case scenario (Jason screwed with her head) to be the case. I doubt either player would intentionally jeopordize their career, but bad blood + blown coverage + a heated game could lead to blows.
Oh, boy -
Not looking good for our heroes, but I should say I am naturally very pessimistic. Let's hope I'm wrong this time. We have a defense that's going places. Those two anchor that defense and if their heads aren't in the game ...
Out of curiosity, what's the thought on how much/what kind of coverage this gets in the paper? I think it's a legit story (and I don't have a problem with treading close to tabloid stuff), but I'm sure others will find it all unseemly.
I suspect we'll read more about it from you guys and less from your increasingly drowsy competition to the immediate north. Although maybe Dave Hyde will lecture us all on the sanctity of marriage or something.
Nottsfin,
I think it is a legitimate question to ask both players. Coach Nick Saban places a high priority on having the right team chemistry and how players get along, particularly Miami's two most important defensive players, is at the heart of team chemistry.
The part that isn't sportsworthy is the lurid details of a private divorce. When the Herald broke the story, it was done so by our people columnist in that section of the paper, not in sports. Other papers chose to follow the story in sports, but The Herald did not.
The D-lineman in the CFL are NOT faster or better than those in the NFL. The inside linemen may be quicker because they're typically 30-40 pounds lighter. But defensive ends? Name me one CFL defensive end that you would take over Jason Taylor, Michael Strahan, Simeon Rice, Julius Peppers, Wale Ogunleye, Bryce Fisher, Jevon Kearse, Gbaja-Biamila, Dwight Freeney, Burgess out in Oakland, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Richard Seymour, Kevin Carter, or even Matt Schobel?
Get real.
Armando, I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure Zach and Jason hang out together, and have fun together. And within that fun, I have a feeling that there have been times when Jason has been unfaithful with Brother-in-law Zach Thomas in tow. I say this for many reasons, among them it's that I have seen them out and about in Miami, and they look like they don't have a worry in the world. Also, I know someone who was out on their boat, and saw Zach, Jason, and a number of girls butt naked. Although this is far from official, I wouldn't doubt that Zach would have known about many infidelities, especially considering they are on the road all the time.
Soooooo, in conclusion, I think our defensive leaders might not be on the best page, but they have been together for some time, and are great professionals, so I don't think team chemistry will be affected.
I think it's unfortunate to start a column or story with "This is all personal stuff, but..." If Taylor and Thomas come to blows or there is a clear disruption in the team, then it merits a story. Otherwise, I really feel that speculating on what may or may not have happened in Taylor's personal life (did he play head games with her, etc.) should really be off limits. I don't care if all the South Florida papers ran with it - it shouldn't have come to that. The Herald is not, after all, a tabloid.
Taylor and Thomas are pros and they will continue to act as pros on and off the field. Period. End of story.
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Being that I am one who, as far back as can remember, hated the Miami Dolphins even more than I hated the Oakland/Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders, which is really saying something part of me is glad at this whole soap opera that is the Jason and Katina soon-to-be ex-Taylor-back-to-Thomas and Zach Thomas saga has happened. If it effects the way the Dolphins play then great! However, I am not a cruel person by nature so I can't say that. Besides, I'm one who believes in the santification of marriage and believe that a person should stay married to the first person that they married for life just like it says in the wedding vows. Many a person, married or not, can paraphrase them, but how many these days actually live by them? It's sad. In Jason Taylor's case this is soon to be his second divorce, that Katina's head was "messed with" (whatever that means) by him. I can't help but see Mr. Taylor as another pompous, arrogant self-centered jock who is more concerned with his own over-blown image than he is with what truly matters in life. Granted he is an excellent football player. His 2006 defensive player of the year NFL award speaks volumes of that. Granted, too, I am a huge football fan (Go Cowboys!). However, many a person takes a life-or-death approach to such things as professional sports and the image that comes about because of them. In the grand scheme of things, there are far more important things than who beat who on Sunday afternoon. I admire those like the late, great Tom Landry (Who, in my opinion, was a much better coach than Don Shula ever could even dream of being and a man with much more on the field integrity. Case in point: The "Blizzard Bowl" against the New England Patriots where Ron Meyer had the presence of mind to have that work-release prisoner manning a snow blower to come onto the field and blow a clean spot of field so that kicker John Smith would have less of a problem kicking the ball. The way Don Shula acted because he got out-smarted by Meyer was ABSOLUTELY deplorable!! Shortly after that game was played, the NFL rules committee came to a vote and voted that no longer could what Meyer did be done in an NFL game. Guess who was on that rules committee? Don't tell me Shula didn't moan about getting that rule passed!) and Roger Staubach who knew that football took second place to God and family. I also admire the late, great Joe Delaney for doing what he could to save those kids who were struggling in the water even though he knew, not being able to swim, he would be in trouble himself. This guy was on his way to a Hall of Fame career but, instead, went to a greater "Hall of Fame" instead than the one in Canton. Based on comments Jason Taylor made in the reason why he wanted to date Katina Thomas in the first place, and knowing how many a professional athlete thinks with his penis like, for example, Jason Taylor's other good friend or should I say "penis pal", New England Patriot's quarterback Tom Brady, Taylor is no different. Birds of a feather flock together as that old cliche goes and so it doesn't surprise me in the least that Taylor and Brady are buddies even though they play on rival teams in the same division no less. Brady let his unexpected success go to his head with the company he keeps in the guise of his model girlfriends (Bridgette Moynahan, Giselle Bunchden). Now his poster boy image is tarnished since he knocked Moynahan up. Whatever happened to waiting until being married before having sex? Along with that, whatever happened to people knowing the words, let alone the meanings, of such words as scruples and morales and integrity? I recently read that LaBron James wants to be a good role model for children. Shortly after I read this I find out he is having his second child out of wedlock. Apparently his mother (as far as I know there wasn't a father figure in his life) forgot to teach him marriage first. Or, if she did, then he sure didn't listen to her during this lesson or not take it to heart. To me, he doesn't even realize what it truly takes to be a good role model, let alone be one. Like Taylor and Brady, he is truly a product of today's society with the ever-burgeoning mindset that there is nothing wrong with screwing around. This is truly sad. Many a reporter and fan will simply overlook such things as I have just mentioned merely because the person is a successful athlete. This, too, is also truly sad. Athletes like Taylor and Brady are looked upon as these big strapping, powerful athletes. Yet they cannot even control a certain type of urge. This makes them extremely weak. And to look the way they do and to act the way they do not only makes them look weak but pathetic as well; they are truly the epitomy of the phrase "dumb jock." I'm not saying I'm perfect, far from it. The only person I ever had sexual intercourse with, however, was my wife and that started on our honeymoon and I didn't get married until I was 38. Being young they still have time to smarten up. I just hope for their sakes they will before they get themselves in so deep they'll never be able to breathe again.
Dear Blogger_Boy...
I have read alot of these articles on here and believe that everyone is entitled to his own opinion...but this time, you've gone to far and attacked a friend of mine...
I PERSONALLY know Jason Taylor. I have since 1993. He is NOT arrogant, self centered and/or all of the other things that you called him. Don't catagorize him with the other NFL players that make the news for their mouths or have 800 kids by 800 different women.
I'm not saying that Jason is perfect...(no one is) but he is far from the person that you portrayed in your blog.
He is FAR from a dumb jock or a dumb anything. Jason was top at his high school (in grades) AND at college...he may be alot of things, but dumb isn't one of them.
This is (or will be) Jasons FIRST divorce. He was never married before. Katina is his first and only wife. Katina has filed for a divorce a few times before, but she is his first and only wife.
Her brother Zack introduced Jason and Katina and encouraged them to get to know each other. What happened from there was up to Jason and Katina and they ended up getting married...so, I don't understand what you mean by..The reason that Taylor wanted to date Katina in the first place...?? It wasn't his idea, it was Zacks.
Jason DOES believe in the sanctity of marriage...he even told his wife that he would quit football to stay home and work on his marriage.(she declined by the way)
Jason does keep his personal stuff, personal and no one but him and Katina really know what's going on. I'm just curious as to why everyone just assumes that Jason is the reason for the divorce? Maybe Katina is the problem???!! Why does it have to be infidelity (on either part)? Maybe there is something else going on...??!!! As beautiful as Katina is, she's not perfect either...she's human just like her husband Jason and the rest of us are. I just don't understand why everyone just points the finger at Jason and no one thinks that maybe its not him??
I hope that Jason and Katina can work out whatever their problems are, forget this divorce and celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary...will that happen? No one knows. I just wish them both the best, no matter what turns out to happen. After all, they do have 3 beautiful kids to raise.
No matter what Jason and Zack Thomas are team mates first...yeah, the family stuff would be hard to handle..but they are professionals. They get paid (highly) to do their jobs and I'm sure that no matter what happens with Jason and Katina, that's just what they'll do, their jobs.
It's obvious he's very nice and a great person. He's the kind of guy you can't help but love!
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