Which recent player's death was most surprising and shook the league more: Tillman, Taylor, or Stringers?

It should have been in this order:

Tillman -- so much bigger than the others. A guy who had everything gives it all up serving his country. The political ripples were huge, and he is a true hero with a tragic death.

Not surprising, but tragic.

Stringer -- should have shook the league 2nd most. Stringer's death showed how risky practicing in heat is for big guys. The impact on how teams practice at all levels was the biggest here -- even high schools have altered there approach.

Taylor -- should have been least impactful. Certainly sad, but Taylor was no angel. He had a checkered past of doing some not so nice things, including brandishing guns himself.

Of coure, the media turned this on its head, and Taylor's death was the most publicized within the league.

Taylor was made out to be a hero, when in reality he was a former thug who was trying to turn his life around. Sad, but nowhere near the Tillman issue.

To compare his death to Tillman's is silly. Tillman gave his life voluntarily to serve his country. He was on top of the world and chose to risk everything for the benefit of other Americans.

That is the real earth-shaking tragedy.

If you're talking about shaking the league, I don't think Tillman really should be mentioned. His death was, like you said, honorable, and didn't actually shake the league. It more just showed the league that there is more to life than just football and that a guy gave up millions to fight for his country.

Taylor's was bad because everyone was expecting him to be in the hospital and have a long recovery time. When he died, no one could believe it. That really shook the league.

However, I think that Korey Stringer's death was the one that really shook the league the most. I remember waking up (this was before 3rd grade) and my dad said that Korey Stringer had died. I couldn't believe it. When you think about the NFL, or any pro sport, a guy dying of just playing the game they love (well, I know that it was miserably hot), but them just dying, I mean, you really don't expect it, not even from the linemen. I still remember how the players took it. Moss, Cris Carter, Denny Green even. The Vikings have been recovering ever since.

Stringer, because it brought to light the way players try to cut weight and the scheduling of practices in hideously hot weather. Tillman is a true hero and Taylor's was a sad reminder on the vicious society we live in, but Stringer's had much more impact on the multi-billion-dollar industry of professional football.

Tillman wasn't even in the league when it happened.

Stringer episodes happen all the time now. NFL, NCAA, marathons, soccer......check the news it happens almost every week somewhere in the world.

Taylor was a burglary gone wrong....that can happen to anyone anywhere in this country. Night time, morning, afternoons.....you never know when someone is going to break into your home....what is it like every 20 seconds there is a residential burglary in this country. that's the scariest s h i t of the three.

I think Tillman effected most people because of what he did. Though Stringers death was a cause for concearn for many lineman in the league i am sure because of how and when he passed.

All 3 of the deaths affected the league pretty evenly. I'm sure everyone in the NFL hates that does players are gone now.

But Taylors death shocked me themost.. I mean what are the odds someone is going to come to your house, try to rob you, sees you with a big knife, chases you out, and you still get shot at that ceratin spot of the leg. RIP all this players.

Tillman and Taylor

i think taylor because on the field, at least in my eyes, he seemed invincible. im not even close to being a redskins fan, but his death made me cry. the others were very saddening, but neither of those affected people as much as sean taylor,

tillman

I fully agree with h charles...he said everything i wanted to say but he just said it better...