The Washington Commanders have removed the statue (if you could call it that) they installed two years ago to honor their former safety, Sean Taylor.
Taylor, who was murdered in November 2007, will be the franchise’s first player to be memorialized with a statue after having his No. 21 retired in 2022, as the Commanders are planning to install the statue they should have sculpted a long time ago.
“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, per ESPN.
“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.”
Commanders will be removing the previous Sean Taylor installation and partnering with Jackie Taylor and the Taylor family on a new statue — a positive step in continuing to honor their legends appropriately. https://t.co/5CvgjIWbsM
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2024
Taylor’s daughter, Jackie, was 18 months old when he was killed. She will be involved in the process as she’s to offer input into the design.
“I’m just thankful for the whole process,” she 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.”
Jackie Taylor is a freshman volleyball player at North Carolina and wears her dad’s old number.
Sean Taylor’s Old Memorialization Earned Washington Widespread Criticism
The Commanders were subjected to plenty of criticism after unveiling what they hoped to pass off as a representation of the late safety in 2022, and rightfully so.
Fans quickly pointed out that it was dressed in a Nike jersey instead of Reebok and that there was no tape over the facemask like Taylor used to wear.
I still cant believe they put this out pic.twitter.com/OHjgMn567u
— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) August 24, 2024
The team eventually made the changes, also altering the socks and cleats to match what Taylor played with, but it has been removed completely, with commendable plans now afoot.
A date for the statue’s unveiling hasn’t been announced as yet.
Jackie added that she was “filled with gratitude that my dad will forever be a part of the burgundy and golf family.”
