Kam Chancellor is the second member of Seattle's 'Legion of Boom' secondary to celebrate his birthday this week, with the Seahawks strong safety turning 28 years old today, April 3, just four days after cornerback Richard Sherman also celebrated his 28th.
But amidst the birthday celebrations for himself and Sherman, it's another star defensive back who's likely been on Chancellor's mind the past few days.
Wishing a happy birthday and another successful year to the second LOB member in a week, Kam Chancellor who turns 28 as well!
"Bltiz" greets Kam Chancellor after the game as Chancellor makes his way to the locker room.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor accepts a congratulatory handshake from head coach Pete Carroll after the game in the locker room.
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor points skyward after the final whistle as Seattle escaped and advanced with a 10-9 victory over the Vikings.
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Defensive backs Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman chat during pregame warmups.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor rests on the bench after his interception.
Former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, who died on Nov. 27, 2007 by injuries from a gunshot sustained by intruders to his Miami-area home, would have turned 33 years old on Friday, April 1. It's Taylor who Chancellor has said he looks to model his game after, and no matter who the Seahawks' opponent is each week, you can find Chancellor watching Taylor's highlight reel before each matchup.
"Before every game I've got to watch him," Chancellor said in 2014. "It just puts more aggression into me, man. Just like, 'Boom,' this is what I've got to do. I watch it and say, 'This is what I've got to do every game.'"
Taylor, Washington's first-round pick in 2004, possessed a rare combination of size, speed, strength, physicality and ball skills much like what Chancellor has shown through his six seasons with the Seahawks. In his nearly four years with the Redskins, Taylor recorded 344 tackles, 12 interceptions, 41 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, and was named to the Pro Bowl twice. Chancellor, a native of Norfolk, Va. who grew up a fan of the Redskins, took the news of Taylor's passing particularly hard.
"It was tough because I knew I wasn't going to get a chance to meet him," Chancellor said. "That was one of the guys I wanted a chance to meet and try to get some insight from, think like he thinks, pick his brain a little bit. But unfortunately I didn't get a chance to."
Despite missing out on a chance to meet his role model, as Chancellor continues his NFL career he's said he'll look to keep his fellow Aries' legacy alive.
"I'm always there trying to reach out to the guys who say they look up to me now," Chancellor said. "I try to reach back and not let them miss their opportunity to talk to me.
"He's still with me forever," Chancellor added of Taylor. "He's with me in the game, on my shoulder every week."
