Mason Taylor carries on a legendary legacy with Jets
Mason Taylor’s name may ring a bell for football enthusiasts, and for good reason. The New York Jets’ rookie tight end shares a surname with a Pro Football Hall of Famer, Jason Taylor, and that connection runs deeper than mere coincidence.
A family connection to greatness
Yes, Mason Taylor is indeed related to Jason Taylor—his father. The elder Taylor had a remarkable 15-season career in the NFL, spending 13 of those years with the Miami Dolphins. Over his illustrious tenure, he amassed an impressive 139.5 sacks before wrapping up his career with a season at Washington and concluding with the Jets. This storied lineage has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in Mason’s journey to the NFL.
Uncle Zach adds to the football lineage
The family ties extend even further. Mason’s uncle is none other than Zach Thomas, another Dolphins legend and a Pro Football Hall of Famer in his own right. With Mason’s mother being Thomas’s sister, the football pedigree runs deep in the family. Zach Thomas carved out an exceptional 13-year career, all with the Dolphins, where he tallied a staggering 1,734 tackles, alongside 17 interceptions and 16 forced fumbles.
Genetics and legacy in the spotlight
With such a robust football heritage, it’s clear that Mason Taylor is not just another rookie tight end. He carries the weight of a legacy that includes two Hall of Famers, making his journey to the NFL a compelling narrative of talent and family tradition. As he dons the green and white of the Jets, Mason Taylor steps onto the field not only as a player but as a representative of a remarkable lineage in professional football.