By Aaryan Rathod
 
"As you get older, facilities and the environment matter, but it's the people who inhabit those environments that make the difference," said former Mason men's soccer defender Taylor Washington when asked about what made Mason his top priority. 

He isn't a stranger when it comes to facing setbacks, or rather, as he sees it, testing times given to him by God. His life changed back in August 2012, when he was diagnosed with Dyslexia. He recalls the day he was getting tested, "It took me three days, and at the end of it, my mom burst into tears, and the clinician, very kindly, told me, "You're not dumb. You process information differently."

He gave his perspective on how he perceives things differently from others. "With a normal brain, a deck of cards comes Ace of Spades, 2 of Spades, 3 of Spades, and so on. With my dyslexic brain, it's Ace of Spades, King of Hearts, and 10 of Clubs—things come in out of order."

Taylor had decided to embrace his condition and said that there are plenty of other people who were dyslexic and have gone on to have successful careers. For him, it is just that he sees the game differently and that's how he has always played soccer. "When we own the things, we are—especially the ones society might tell us not to talk about—they can become a superpower."

George Mason offered a great disability program, and this is where former men's soccer coach Greg Andrulis played a key role in helping him choose Mason. He sat down with his mother, Jane, and Linn Jorgenson, assistant dean of students for the Office of Disability Services, and told him, "I care more about how you do off the field than I do on." These words meant a lot to him, and he joined up with the team in the Spring, and ever since, he felt right at home. 

Coach Greg Andrulis, who coached him during his time at Mason, said, "The remarkable thing about Taylor was his ability to communicate at a very mature level. He knew what he wanted in life—his purpose in life—and we thought he'd be a great fit, aligned with all of our Mason values. When he came, you know, it was a journey that was so great. He touched everybody he met in a very positive way and made a great contribution to the team, both on and off the field."

He majored in Integrative Studies, which is a part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Washington donned the Green and Gold for three years after transferring from Boston College. During his collegiate career, Washington was tabbed Atlantic 10 All-Conference First Team as a sophomore in addition to VaSID All-State Second Team and ECAC Second Team All-Star. Following his senior season, Washington was named NSCAA All-Midwest Third Team. For his collegiate career at Mason, Washington netted one goal, recorded three assists, and started 52 of 53 matches he appeared in.

"We had a great family environment. We competed every day and hung out together off the field", said Washington. Speaking about the 2013 A-10 Championship season, he felt there was something magical brewing within the team and all of the team members specially seniors who wanted to leave a lasting impact, coaches and team managers played a key role in lifting the A-10 championship against Saint Louis with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of senior midfielder Alex Herrera converting his penalty kick attempt in the 83rd minute to guide the Patriots to victory. 

After his collegiate career ended, he achieved something that only four Patriots in history have accomplished. In 2016, defender Taylor Washington became the fourth Patriot to be drafted when he was chosen 23rd overall by the Philadelphia Union in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft. He joined Taylor Morgan (2012, Toronto), Kwame Adjeman-Pamboe (2009, Colorado), and Ritchie Kotschau (1998, Chicago) as former Patriots drafted.

Greg recalls that life-changing moment. "Getting drafted in the first round is pretty incredible, and just seeing the sheer joy on his face and in his eyes… he has the most expressive look of joy when good things happen. And then, to be part of the group hug with his mom, dad, and him—I couldn't have been any happier for him and his family".

His parents played a pivotal role in helping him view life differently. Taylor says, "My mom would always ask, 'Are you happy this week?' She taught me that how we live is more important than what we do. Our attitude and character are what matter at the end of the day. My dad is the lock-in and focus motivator. He's passionate, and he taught me to look at life that way. That helped me with soccer and dyslexia. I was the guy who didn't want to lose a small-sided game, but in the locker room we were brothers again." 

He had reached the pinnacle of professional soccer, but life brings its own challenges. At the end of the season, his contract wasn't renewed with the Philadelphia Union, and he was devastated by this decision.

On comes a child named Dominic Liples, an 8-year-old battling with cancer whose faith and resilience changed his life. He recalled visiting him at a children's hospital. "The first thing I did was go to the children's hospital to see Dominic. I don't think I even told him what I was going through. He was fighting to eat Jell-O. That perspective changed everything. I had an able, willing body. I knew I'd end up somewhere, and I just needed to be patient and still." 

This helped him get back up, and his agent advised him to go to the USL to get minutes and work his way back up into the MLS. Fast forward to 2025, he is a veteran with Nashville SC for 8 seasons and has announced his retirement from soccer. He played 82 games, accumulating one goal and four assists, and also won the US Open Cup last month against Austin FC. He has been an integral part of the growth and development of Nashville SC. 

Talking about his work off the field is really what defines him as a person. He has been named Nashville SC's Humanitarian of the year for 5 seasons running (2021-25). He has spent loads of time volunteering with organizations like Special Olympics Tennessee, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville Rescue Mission, Kickin' It 615, and so on.

As professional athletes, everyone expects them to serve as role models to help improve society. For Taylor, this isn't a duty but rather the family values ingrained in him from the beginning, along with his faith, that are the driving factors behind this. He says that as we grow older, people want to be seen, known, and heard. Bringing a smile to someone's face who might be fighting their life battles can bring enormous positivity to them and others as well.

Coach Greg reflected, "He is one of the greatest human beings I've ever met. Everywhere he's been—whether it was Mason, the Philadelphia Union, or Nashville SC—he gets recognized every year for his involvement in community service. But he was also an incredible soccer player. We relied on him for leadership and his technical ability on the ball to get forward and make things happen was incredible. He made everyone around him better. There aren't a lot of people who have all those qualities in one". 

When Nashville SC came to play D.C. United, the last time, Greg said, "When the game is over, players walk down to the tunnel and disappear. But Taylor Washington went over to the crowd and was signing autographs, taking pictures with kids who looked up to him. He is someone who exudes that kind of thinking that 'I am here for you,' as opposed to being there for himself."

Nashville fans and community are definitely going to miss the heartbeat of the team since its move to MLS back in 2020.

After his retirement, he would love to continue being associated with Nashville SC in an ambassador role or in community engagement. Wherever his life takes him next, there is no doubt that he will bring joy and positivity to the people around him and make the world a better place to live in.