Nov 27, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; A view of a memorial honoring the 15th year of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor's passing prior to the Commanders' game against the Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Commanders draw harsh criticism for disappointing Sean Taylor 'statue'

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 11/27/22

The Washington Commanders made a big deal about unveiling a Sean Taylor tribute statue on Sunday, and it did not go well.

Instead of being an impressive statue to honor the life and career of Taylor, who was killed 15 years ago, it just seemed to bring more criticism to the franchise for never being able to do anything right.

The "statue" was nothing more than a mismatched uniform and helmet thrown over what looks like a wire mannequin.

Washington’s unveiling of its Sean Taylor memorial installation pic.twitter.com/jqDMMFhEUz
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) November 27, 2022

This did not get a positive reaction on social media.

WTF no, not a statue for the icon…

but a MANNEQUIN for Sean Taylor?? pic.twitter.com/i7gfeZCfyJ
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 27, 2022

Sean Taylor is one of the most beloved players in Washington team history. The team made a big show of how it was going to unveil a memorial to honor him today. And the memorial is just his uniform. That's all it is. No more thought put into it than that. https://t.co/rZ6XpdXqiP
— Michael David Smith (@MichaelDavSmith) November 27, 2022

Sean Taylor and his family deserve so much better than whatever this tribute is. https://t.co/WVdjPjbKT4
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) November 27, 2022

This is the Sean Taylor "statue" that was just unveiled on the 15th anniversary of his tragic death.

Another embarrassing moment for the Washington franchise. Unreal.

( @Scott7news)pic.twitter.com/LhF9j8DU2N
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 27, 2022

Didn’t realize Washington had its yearly embarrassing tribute to Sean Taylor scheduled for today. https://t.co/4PyBg84qjw
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) November 27, 2022

Let’s hope the new owner does more than put a wire mannequin with a uniform Sean Taylor never wore in the hallway.

This looks like something you’d see in the team store. https://t.co/P0N1YgEE0D
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 27, 2022

Embarrassing organization.

Inaccurate era Nike jersey.
Reebok pants.

And not a statue (as has been promoted all week)... but a mannequin to honor Sean Taylor?

Can't even do something so simple correctly. https://t.co/KVQsyY1arM
— Samuel Lam (@SamuelYLam) November 27, 2022

This is not the first time Washington has seemingly taken a half-hearted approach to honoring Taylor, giving everybody just three days notice to his number retirement ceremony a year ago. That move was seen as a PR move to shield the team from bad press it was receiving from its many off-field scandals. This seems to be more of the same.

Taylor only played three-and-a-half years in the league before he was killed at age 24 during the 2007 season. He was one of the most popular players on the team and one of the best defensive players in the league, playing in the 2006 Pro Bowl.

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