It’s become a tradition of sorts: a legendary sports star gets his or her own statue, but then it’s revealed to not look anything like said sports star. And then the memes and criticism comes raining down. Sometimes, it leads to a correction, which stinks for the artist, but I think you want the likeness to really look like the star, right?
It just happened with Dwyane Wade, so it’s a good time to look back on all the statues and busts that were, well, busts.
So here’s a roundup of some of the worst of the worst that we’ve seen:
(COMBO) This combination of pictures created on June 18, 2018 shows a new bust representing Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (L) pictured at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Funchal, on Madeira island, on June 18, 2018 and the old bust representing Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo pictured at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport in Funchal, on March 29, 2017. The bronze bust of Cristiano Ronaldo was discreetly replaced last week by officials of the CR7 museum, which is run by Ronaldo’s family. / AFP PHOTO / FRANCISCO LEONG AND Helder SANTOSFRANCISCO LEONG,HELDER SANTOS/AFP/Getty Images ORIG FILE ID: AFP_1657SC
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 11: Andy Murray of Great Britain poses for photographers at the unvieling of a statue of his likeness as a terra cotta warrior during the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 11, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 128844625 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
A lot of criticism of this one.
4. Harry Caray
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 26: A Chicago Cubs fan wearing protective gear walks past a statue of the late long-time sportscaster Harry Caray outside of Wrigley Field on what was to be opening day for Major League Baseball on March 26, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775499632 ORIG FILE ID: 1215000998
It’s a little weird.
5. Jerry Richardson
Aug 5, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Statue of owner Jerry Richardson and his Panthers during FanFest at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Nope.
6. David Beckham
Former Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder David Beckham poses beside his newly unveiled statue at the Legends Plaza in Carson, California on March 2, 2019. – Beckham played for the Los Angeles Galaxy from 2007 until 2012. (Photo by Mark RALSTON / AFP)MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT: David Bec ORIG FILE ID: AFP_1E616L
![SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 11: Andy Murray of Great Britain poses for photographers at the unvieling of a statue of his likeness as a terra cotta warrior during the Shanghai Rolex Masters at the Qi Zhong Tennis Center on October 11, 2011 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 128844625 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dnYN7ax1hh358jAD310FKA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/eec128447dbeb6d9749d708d03627ae6)
