SAM

The Washington Commanders have taken down the statue they installed two years ago to honor their former safety, Sean Taylor, after facing heavy criticism for its design.

Taylor, who was tragically killed in 2007, was the first player in the franchise’s history to have his number, 21, retired.

However, the statue meant to commemorate him fell short of expectations and left fans disappointed. In response, the Commanders are now planning to create a new statue that better reflects Taylor‘s legacy.

This time, his daughter, Jackie, who was just 18 months old when Taylor was murdered, will play a significant role in the design process. Jackie, now a college athlete at North Carolina and wearing her father’s number in volleyball, will provide input to ensure the new statue honors her father accurately.

“After careful consideration, we have decided as an organization to remove the Sean Taylor installation from Commanders Field,” a spokesperson for the team said in a statement.

“We realize that the installation fell short in honoring one of our franchise’s most iconic players.

Together with the Taylor family, we are working on a plan, which includes unveiling a statue that will rightfully celebrate the legacy and impact that Sean had on our organization, fanbase and community.

The Washington Commanders are committed to honoring our legends in a first-class manner.”

Statue sparked controversy

The original statue, revealed in 2022, was widely criticized for its inaccuracies, including the use of a Nike jersey instead of the Reebok one Taylor wore during his career, and the omission of tape over the facemask, a distinctive feature Taylor was known for.

Although the team made some adjustments, such as updating the socks and cleats, the statue ultimately failed to meet expectations.

“I’m just thankful for the whole process,” Jackie Taylor said. “I think the fans will really enjoy what they’re going to see and getting the second opportunity, you don’t really get many second opportunities. The fact that we’re able to get a second opportunity is nice … There’s a lot of excitement.”