Gabriel Taylor is bringing 'new mindset' to honoring brother Sean Taylor

When Gabriel Taylor takes the field for the DC Defenders' 2026 home opener on April 11, he will be wearing the No. 21 jersey.

In the past, such a moment would have been emotional for Taylor. It matches the number worn by his late brother, Sean Taylor, across his four seasons with Washington before he was killed in a 2007 home invasion at the age of 24.

But now, the younger Taylor - who was 6 years old when his brother died - is taking a different approach to honoring his brother's legacy.

"I think having a new mindset, mentality over the number is just not overthinking it," Taylor told USA TODAY Sports in a recent phone interview. "Because if I overthink it, then that brings pressure."

What does that pressure look like? Taylor explained the No. 21 jersey "sets a tone" of what many want and expect from him, especially with his last name atop it.

Taylor knows that comes from a place of love.

"The fans really want me to succeed and just thrive in the number and just make my own name," Taylor said.

But at the same time, the 24-year-old believes achieving those goals will rely on him staying in the moment amid his chance to prove himself in the UFL.

"Having this new mentality of letting it just be a number, a regular number, so I can focus more on my job and not overthink the situation," Taylor said. "I wouldn't say it's emotional now. It's more so just don't let it affect your play. Make sure you don't overthink and just be, at the end of the day."

Gabriel Taylor hoping to turn UFL chance into NFL opportunity

Taylor, like many UFL players, is hoping to use the spring football league as a springboard into the NFL.

Taylor's only NFL opportunity to date came at the Washington Commanders' rookie minicamp after he went undrafted in 2025. He said attending it was a "cool experience" but lamented his inability to earn a roster spot, despite coaches telling him it would be a "no-brainer" to sign him after his camp performance.

"To be honest, I didn't feel like that was a real shot," Taylor said.

That left Taylor wondering whether he would have been better off working out for a team with a more pressing need at safety, despite his connection to the Commanders from his brother's playing days.

Either way, Taylor believed what he showed at Rice - where he logged 239 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks, 10 interceptions and 27 pass defenses across five seasons - was enough to earn him an NFL opportunity. He referenced his high Pro Football Focus grade and ability to limit the statistical output of opposing players in coverage as factors that should have stood out to NFL teams.

Ultimately, Taylor thinks the level of competition he faced at Rice along with his smaller frame (5-8, 188 pounds) gave NFL teams "excuses" not to take a shot on him.

"This is why I'm grateful to the UFL," Taylor said. "This is actually a real shot. This is like a pro league, so they can't have no excuses."

Gabriel Taylor felt 'destined' to join Defenders

Taylor is even more grateful to have landed with the Defenders, given the natural connection between himself and the DC fans through his brother's stardom.

"It's very humbling. It's a cool experience to do it for them," Taylor said. "It's kind of destined."

Taylor's connection to the Defenders goes beyond the fans. He also had a pre-existing relationship with defensive coordinator Blake Williams - whose father, Gregg Williams, was Washington's defensive coordinator across Sean Taylor's four seasons with the team.

The younger Williams was also a member of Washington's staff in 2006 and 2007 and stayed in touch with the younger Taylor, who referenced spending time with the Williams' during their respective stints with the New Orleans Saints (2009-11).

That has allowed Taylor and Williams to quickly develop a rapport, with the safety crediting the Defenders' defensive coordinator as a resource for discussing more than just football.

"Just knowing that he has my back at all times is very good mentally," Taylor said.

That is one of the many reasons Taylor feels lucky to have landed with the Defenders despite other teams around the league having every opportunity to land him during an offseason of change for the UFL.

"I could have been anywhere," Taylor said. "It's crazy how I'm on this team."

Gabriel Taylor on 'Taylor mentality'

Taylor was quick to credit the Defenders - and Williams, in particular - with helping to foster a "family environment."

That was particularly important to Taylor, who noted the role family has played in shaping his work ethic and drive to succeed as an NFL player - which he referred to as a "Taylor mentality."

"Our family was already close in everything we did," Taylor explained. "We always want to win and, to now, like they're always supporting me. Making sure I have everything that I need to succeed in life."

Taylor was quick to acknowledge that included a lot of financial support for his sports activities. He estimated his parents would "probably [be] millionaires" if they hadn't been so supportive of him throughout his career.

"They never missed a game," Taylor said. "They support me when I do bad, when I'm not communicating to them or whenever I'm down, they just make sure to bring me up. They always have my back in everything. They're my No. 1 support in everything I do."

Taylor is extremely grateful for that support, and it's one of the biggest reasons - along with his love of the game and his desire for a legitimate NFL opportunity - he is still looking to carve out a career as a professional athlete.

"I'm just trying to pay it all back to them so they can travel, see the world like I did," Taylor said. "They deserve the world."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Sean Taylor's brother is honoring late safety with UFL's Defenders