Sean Taylor is being remembered for his love of football and the excitement he brought to the game and for his personal growth.

At his funeral Monday in Miami, Taylor's casket was surrounded by bouquets. A video display behind it showed the thousands who gathered at Florida International University some highlights of Taylor's football career.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the league was proud of the Washington Redskins safety. He said Taylor "loved football" and football "loved him back."

And Redskins coach Joe Gibbs says the slain 24-year-old had excitement for life and "certainly he can still live forever" with "100-year football games." Gibbs added he'd "want to play on Sean's team."

There were chuckles when Redskins running back Clinton Portis told how invigorating it was to see Taylor tackle another player.

And Portis, spoke of the change he saw in his friend with the birth of Taylor's daughter. He said Taylor "was living for his child."

Actor Andy Garcia was also among the mourners. His niece, Jackie Garcia, was Taylor's girlfriend and the mother of his young child, and was in the home when he was shot.