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.”
News
Skip Bayless Defends Caitlin Clark Praise with ‘White Guilt’ Excuse, but Fans Aren’t Buying It
Skip Bayless, the once-controversial sports pundit, now finds himself out of the spotlight and, apparently, feeling guilty for cheering on one of college basketball’s rising stars, Caitlin…
VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Turns Up the Heat! Her Most Recent Daring Leg-Baring Pregame Outfit Has Everyone Talking
Caitlin Clark (Photo via @IndianaFever/Twitter) Caitlin Clark was grabbing online attention with her pregame outfit well before she went to the court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Clark was going…
Caitlin Clark’s Toughest Battle Yet: On-Court Injury, Performance Slump, and Political Controversy Hit Hard
It was a tough outing for Indiana Fever’s rookie sensation Caitlin Clark, who struggled during the team’s 86-75 loss to the Las Vegas Aces. Clark shot just 27 percent from the field,…
Shocking Confession: Angel Reese Opens Up About the Negative Side of the WNBA – Leaves Fans Speechless
She is one of the most talented players in the WNBA, a young girl that has become a star at a young age and seems to…
Unbelievable Blunder: Announcers Completely Miss A’ja Wilson’s Record-Breaking WNBA Milestone
A’ja Wilson is putting together a season unlike any other in WNBA history. The Las Vegas Aces star set the all-time WNBA single-season record for points scored on Wednesday night, cashing…
Emotional Moment: A’ja Wilson Sets Unbeatable Record, Leaving Caitlin Clark in the Dust
A’ja Wilson made WNBA history during the Las Vegas Aces’ game against the Indiana Fever, breaking the league’s single-season scoring record. Wilson surpassed Jewell Loyd’s 2023 record of 939…
End of content
No more pages to load