Jason Taylor Bio - Biography

Name Jason Taylor
Height 6' 6"
Naionality American
Date of Birth Sept. 1, 1974
Place of Birth Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Famous for
With a rare blend of determination, charisma and athleticism, the new face of the Washington Redskins, Jason Taylor has taken the sports and entertainment worlds by storm and isn’t looking back. Since entering the league in 1997, he has become one of the most feared defenders on the field in the NFL and a rising star off the field, judging by his performance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars this season. Jason will now pursue his ultimate football dream of winning the 2009 Super Bowl!

A recipient of the 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his playing achievements as well as off-the-field contributions, Taylor’s big heart has driven him to give back through the Jason Taylor Foundation, endearing him to all of South Florida and making him one of the area’s most popular figures. His notoriety has also spread the world over, as he served as the NFL’s spokesperson for its 2007 game in London.

Taylor’s athletic accomplishments are seemingly endless. He was named the 2006 Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year, the highest honor bestowed on a defensive performer. In addition, he has received All-Pro honors on four occasions, selected to six Pro Bowls, appeared on numerous All-NFL Defensive Teams and has been named the NFL Alumni Association’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in consecutive seasons (2005-06). He is the Miami Dolphins all-time career sack leader with 117 and counting, was the NFL’s sack champion in 2002 with 18.5 and with 100.5 sacks since the 2000 season, is the NFL’s most prolific pass rusher this decade.

While Taylor was playing football, Gary Wichard, his agent and partner, was orchestrating his entrance into Hollywood. After his overwhelmingly successful stint on Dancing with the Stars, the film industry has become aware that Taylor’s transition to motion pictures is a natural one.

Jason is the first-ever male spokesperson for the Neutrogena line of health and skin products. He was also named to People Magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful and recognized as Us Weekly’s TV’s Top 10 Dream Men. Jason has also been featured in GQ Magazine, The New Yorker, FHM, Men’s Fitness as well as the cover of TV Guide. His Television appearances include The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Larry King Live, Live with Regis and Kelly, Good Day America, Access Hollywood and Entertainment Tonight. He also made a cameo appearance in the box office smash Jackass: Number Two. Jason was named one of the “10 Hottest Men in Sports” by Sports Illustrated for Women, and was ranked in the Top 20 Best Looking Male Athletes by a panel of Sports Illustrated swimsuit models.

Over the course of his eleven-year career with the Dolphins, Taylor has worked with numerous charitable organizations, including the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, United Way, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, First Book, Habitat for Humanity and the Urban League of Broward County. In the spring of 2002, Jason participated in two USO Tours during which he visited military bases and hospitals in Kuwait, Iraq and Germany and in 2004 he hosted the first-ever Jason Taylor Celebrity Golf Classic, raising nearly $150,000 for the Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami.

Following the inaugural golf classic, Jason and his wife, Katina, decided to extend their charitable efforts. On July 30, 2004, they established the Jason Taylor Foundation in an effort to build a better future for the children of South Florida.

The Jason Taylor Foundation has made long strides in a short period of time. An after-school program, the Jason Taylor Reading Room, was launched in 2007 to improve literacy among inner-city children; Holtz Children’s Hospital has officially renamed its learning center as “The Jason Taylor Children’s Learning Center;” eleven sixth grade students have been awarded college scholarships as a result of the Foundation’s work with Take Stock in Children; hundreds of student athletes have been treated to inspirational films as part of the “Big Screens-Big Dreams” program; and in September of 2006, 60 deserving children were each given a $300 back-to-school shopping opportunity at Old Navy as part of the “Cool Gear for the School Year” program. In addition to his 2007 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, Jason has been recognized twice by The Sporting News annual “Good Guys” awards, and following the 2005 season, the Miami Dolphins selected Taylor as their NFL Man of the Year Award nominee for his community service activities as well as his excellence on the field. During the 2007 offseason, James Brown, host of CBS Sports' "THE NFL TODAY," presented Jason with a prestigious JB Award, given to NFL players who have exhibited a commitment to achieve excellence off the field through building better communities and stronger families.

Taylor, who enjoys boating and golf, currently resides in Weston, Fla. with his wife, Katina, their sons, Isaiah and Mason and daughter, Zoe.

Jason Taylor Photos