Jason Taylor competed in 233 NFL games over a 15-year career before being inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. He also spent a big summer on national television in 2008, a contestant at the time (not his strong point, but he did).
So over the years, Taylor has been accompanied by many emotions, nerves and even fears.
But, this…this is what happened Sunday when he watched his son Mason Taylor make his NFL regular season debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the New York Jets.
Atlanta – Miami Hurricanes' defensive line coach Jason Taylor played the Georgia Tech yellow jacket on November 9, 2024 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Jason Taylor is proud of his son Mason
It stirs. Euphoric. Emotional. And, yes, tears.
It's like crying.
“Of course,” Taylor said when he asked if he expected to cry. “It's not much to consider for me. Of course, I'll sit somewhere in the office and watch the White Games movies and prepare for South Florida. I'm sure I'll be on a TV and a game, and of course, I'll shed a lot of tears.
“And I’ll do it with a lot of pride.”
Taylor is the defensive end coach at the University of Miami, which makes sense, is teaching the Hurricanes to chase quarterbacks as he collects 139.5 sacks throughout his career. The No.5 Hurricane played the world-wide role on Saturday – Cookman, so on Sunday, Taylor will be busy breaking the tape and preparing for the next game.
East Rutherford, NJ – Mason Taylor of the New York Jets took action between the New York Jets and the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL preseason game of the NFL preseason in East Rutherford, NJ on August 16, 2025. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Mason Taylor's debut against the Steelers
But at 1pm, he will turn on the TV to watch Mason. Suddenly, the man he had traveled on football all his life would be a nervous wreck watching others playing games.
“The last thing you think of when your child is born, no matter how long, whether it’s their life or years, what they’re going to do, and where they’re going to end the day,” Taylor said. “You’re praying and hoping that that child can develop and mature and do everything he should do.
“The last thing you start thinking about is a profession. Now, as an athlete, people always comment at the beginning. They say, 'Oh, do you think he will play football?' Every boy, they think he will be a football player, if it's a girl, oh, she will be an actress.
“That's natural, but you never really think about it. Me. What they want to do in life, I just want them to be happy with it, be passionate about it, and be the best.”
Jason Taylor and his family, including Isaiah, Mason and Zoe (Photo: Jason Taylor)
Taylor: Mediocrity is not allowed
It's coming. You're about to hear the spirit of making Taylor an issue against quarterback.
“We are not a mediocre family, I don't like mediocre, you just want them to be a piano player, they go to Beethoven or whatever they want to do, and they will do the best,” Taylor said. “So when they choose sports, then, we're going to fall 10 toes and follow it.”
Jason believes Mason is about to pursue it.
“He has always been the kind of self-starting person, just an inner motivation,” Taylor said. “He grew up around and saw it for a long time, and now it’s his turn.
“Mason is a football guy. His football intelligence is very high. He understands the game. He knows and applies the pure athletic ability of football games and paper games than the game. Athletic traits are all shown in the NFL.
“It's the guys who approach the game mentally in a different way. I think he has that.”
Mason and Isaiah Taylor were at the Jet Camp in New York in 2010 (Photo: Jason Taylor)
Mason Taylor must be where his feet are
Mason is Taylor's oldest. Isaiah Taylor is Miami's senior defense. The only girl, Zoe Taylor, is a freshman beach volleyball player at Arizona State University. She is 5 feet 11.
The kids spent a lot of time around the Miami Dolphins because dad had been playing in South Florida for 13 years. But there was also a year when the family was also completely immersed in the franchise.
Now, Mason is a 6-foot-5-foot, 250-pound tight end that is expected to get enough games for the Steelers and throughout the season.
So, what are the expectations of Jason telling Mason about this professional debut?
“It's the same as your first popular Warner game or your first college game, your first high school game. It's the same. It's football,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, it's in lockdown, tackle, run and catch.
“And one thing we always talk to Mason and all my kids is your feet. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the journey, even though you don't like the destination because it's not necessarily your final destination.”
New York – New York Jets' Mason Taylor took photos on June 21, 2025 at the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees game at Yankees Stadium.
This sounds philosophical. So, it is allowed to break down his message in a more plainer way.
“It's football, brother,” he said. “Everything is the same. It's just a different uniform and a different level. But you know who you are, and now do what you're going to do.”
This is a proud dad talking.
He happens to be the Hall of Fame, but he is the father first. It's obvious when he talks about Mason on this phone or talks about Mason with random people on the street.
“I'm more inclined to tell people that Mason is in the NFL than I am in the Hall of Fame? Damn right,” Taylor said. “I never talk about being in the Hall of Fame. I stayed away from the barriers and kept myself down and did my thing. I'd rather let the light shine on other players and coaches. But when it comes to Mason and my kids, I'm going to be your billboard.”
A few weeks ago, Jason happened to find a couple wearing LSU Tigers gear. When he saw them performing in college on behalf of Mason, he made sure to come over and said, “Geaux Tigers.”
Canton, Ohio – Jason Taylor got rid of his bust at the Pro Football Hall of Fame debut at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on August 5, 2017.
Jason Taylor's billboard for kids
The couple asked Taylor if he was a Tigers fan and that was his tip.
Taylor told them: “Oh, my son Mason Taylor used to play there.”
He then went on to tell them that Mason is in the NFL now and they should watch his game on September 7.
Taylor knows how Mason will feel on Sunday. He has been there. So he understands.
“This is his first game,” Taylor said. “I'm sure he'll be nervous. I'm at the last one, I've played it.” [233 games] No matter what it is. It's the ultimate team game, and obviously the other 10 people on the scene wear the same color determine how many games flow and what you see separately.
“But he will be ready. He will be confident. I'm sure he will be nervous, but he will be there, and that's the important part.”