LEDGER COLUMNIST

Joe L. Hughes (joe@gaffneyledger.com) writes feature and enterprise stories for The Gaffney Ledger. Ever since I was able to put my hands around a football as a young child, I have been a Dallas Cowboys fan.

What other team can be "America's Team," sport silver helmets with a unique royal blue star or have a stadium with a hole in its roof so "God can watch his favorite team play?"

It has been more than 10 years since I have been able to sit at the roundtable and claim my team has a chance at making it to a record 9th Super Bowl appearance. With Green Bay's loss last week at Chicago guaranteeing home field advantage throughout the playoffs, that hope became just a little more realistic.

With their business taken care of, there is very little for me to look at. Or is there?

The talk around the league seems to be primarily based around New England's pursuit of perfection, but I veer away from that bit of media hoopla and look at a game that Dallas has a part in - and the possibility of something special happening for their opponent.

Last month, the Washington Redskins family lost one of their own in free safety Sean Taylor. The talent, who was in his fourth year in the league, lost his life after being shot during an alleged robbery attempt at his home. He was 24.

Since his death, players and coaches around the NFLhave adorned "21" patches and other paraphernalia in honor of Taylor.

When I learned of Taylor's death, I was shocked and saddened. After all, I have watched this young man grow as I tracked him from his time as a prospect in high school and the University of Miami to his time at the professional level. He was truly going to be something special, but time would not let him bear witness to his true potential.

Taylor's death has been a severe blow to the gut of many across the country, but none other than his friends, family and teammates. Fortunately for them, his legacy lives on.

In the game following his death, the team paid homage to their fallen friend and teammate by symbolically placing 10 players on the field leaving only his free safety position open.

The Redskins have also honored him in their play, turning a season that had all the signs of being disastrous into one potentially ending in the playoffs. The team has won three straight games and with its win at Minnesota last week, Washington only needs a victory at home Sunday against rival Dallas to secure a postseason berth.

Usually, there would be little question as to who I would be rooting for, being a Cowboy through and through. Especially against the hated Redskins, who have always been a thorn in the side of Dallas regardless of whether the teams were on the field or not.

But with all the Redskins have gone through, I am hoping this team is able to make a foray into the playoffs. I will not go as far as to say that I want them to win the Super Bowl, which mean they would have beaten my team for a second time this season. However, having them take part in the playoffs would be a good way for the Redskins and their fans to honor their fallen teammate and friend.

As the sands of time move us into a new year, incidents such as the one that happened to Taylor cannot be predicted, making each moment you share with loved ones of the utmost importance.

So as we take time to reflect on the year that was, first think of the loved ones you lost and then take time to love on those you care for most.

May God bless each of you this New Year, bringing tidings of great joy and letting each moment with loved ones seem like an eternity.

One last thing: God please let the Giants beat the Patriots tomorrow... please?!?