He loved football, and "football loved him back."

That tribute from the NFL's commissioner was among many for Redskins star Sean Taylor during his funeral Monday in Miami.

Thousands gathered for Sean Taylor's funeral, just a little more than a week after the Washington Redskins safety was gunned down in a burglary at his home.

A line of black cars and SUVs vehicles brought Taylor's family to the funeral at the Florida International University arena.

Jesse Jackson stood with the athlete's father, and Florida City Police Chief Pedro Taylor.

Redskins coach Joe Gibbs talked about Taylor's growing spirituality, telling thousands of mourners that Taylor will have "100-year football games" in heaven.

Redskins running back Clinton Portis said seeing Taylor tackle another player was invigorating, earning chuckles from the audience.

Portis also spoke to the change everyone saw Taylor undergo following the birth of his daughter. Portis says Taylor was "living for his child, living for his girl."

Actor Andy Garcia was also among the mourners. His niece, Jackie Garcia, was Taylor's girlfriend and was in the home when he was shot. Taylor and Jackie had an 18-month-old girl together.

O.J. Simpson said as he walked into the arena that Taylor "was just a great athlete" and a "great guy."

Present and former Hurricanes coaches sat in the front row. The Redskins organization filled one section of the gymnasium.

The Redskins honored Taylor repeatedly before and their game on Sunday.

On the team's first defensive play, Washington sent out 10 players to contend with the Bills instead of the allowed 11, reserving Taylor's spot in the lineup. Reed Doughty, who will replace Taylor in the starting lineup, entered the game on the next play.

Before the game the team observed an emotional moment of silence for Taylor, who died Tuesday after suffering a gunshot wound to his leg Monday morning when he was shot by intruders in his Florida home. The Redskins wore a patch with Taylor's No. 21 on their jerseys and fans waved towels with the 24-year-old's number on them from the stands.

The team played a four-minute video tribute to Taylor, which featured photos of the player with his baby daughter and footage of him playing in high school, college and the NFL, and clips of him with teammates and coaches.

Washington's marching band wore black hats and played a mournful rendition of the team's theme song, "Hail to the Redskins."