A year after Tom Brady was welcomed into the New England Patriots’ Hall of Fame and the retirement of his No. 12 jersey, the legendary quarterback, who boasts seven Super Bowl titles, will be honored once again this Friday night.
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Coinciding with the Patriots’ preseason opener against the Washington Commanders, the franchise will unveil a statue of Brady at Patriot Place Plaza, located right beside the Gillette Stadium Hall of Fame.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft announced that Brady will be the first player in the team’s history to receive this honor, marking his induction into the franchise Hall of Fame.
It remains to be seen how well the statue captures Brady’s likeness or how it may be critiqued. The future Pro Football Hall of Famer likely hopes to avoid the infamy that has plagued some sports statues, such as those of Cristiano Ronaldo, Dwyane Wade, and others.
These athletes have found themselves associated with some of the most notorious sports statues ever created.
A statue of Harry Carrey, the legendary Cubs broadcaster, is located outside of Wrigley Field in Chicago. (Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB via Getty Images)
(ron vesely via Getty Images)
Harry Carrey (1999)
The iconic broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs is immortalized outside Wrigley Field, capturing his enthusiastic spirit as captured in his famous “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” performance.
Wimbledon’s two-time winner, Andy Murray, will pose next to the statue in the style of a terracotta warrior near a tennis court in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Visual China Group via Getty Images)
(VCG via Getty Images)
Andy Murray (2011)
A terracotta statue of the Scottish tennis player was unveiled in Shanghai in 2011. Upon seeing it, Murray commented, “I thought it looked better than that.”
With Murray now involved in the design of new statues for the All England Club set to be unveiled in 2027, he’ll have another chance to create a more realistic representation of their champions.
Cristiano Ronaldo (2017)
Regarded as a superstar in soccer, Ronaldo’s bust at Madeira Airport in Portugal received widespread mockery for its less-than-flattering likeness. Following the backlash, a new sculpture was created a year later.
Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has a statue in Kolkata, India. The 1986 World Cup, which he played a crucial role in, was also India’s first live televised World Cup. (Photo: Samir Jana/Hindustan Times By Getty Images)
(Hindustang Times via Getty Images)
Diego Maradona (2017)
The beloved Argentine soccer player was present during the announcement of a 12-foot statue in Kolkata, depicting him holding the World Cup trophy. Some observers have noted that the sculpture bore resemblances to figures like Larry Bird and Susan Boyle.
Michael Essien (2018)
The Chelsea and Real Madrid star received a statue in his hometown of Ghana, though it sparked mixed reviews among locals regarding its accuracy.
Mohamed Salah (2018)
Unveiled in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh, the statue of Liverpool’s Salah captures him in his iconic goal celebration pose, yet some argue that it resembles a character from the movie “Home Alone” more than the player himself.
1999 Women’s World Cup hero Brandi Chastain at her honorary plaque in the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame. (Janetiska/Bay Area Newsgroup via Getty Images)
(via Medianews Group/East Bay Times and via Getty Images)
Brandi Chastain (2018)
While not a statue, the plaque honoring Brandi Chastain, who secured victory with a penalty kick in the 1999 Women’s World Cup final, is worth mentioning. The image on her plaque was so poorly received that she had to submit a new photo for a replacement.
David Beckham’s impact on MLS and the LA Galaxy has led to a statue outside of their stadium. (Photo: Matthew Ashton – Ama/Getty Images)
(Matthew Ashton – Ama via Getty Images)
David Beckham (2019)
Unlike the temporary statue put up by H&M during Beckham’s underwear modeling days, the LA Galaxy’s commissioned statue truly embodies the soccer legend. Initially, Beckham was led to believe it was for a prank—much to his surprise when it was real.
A statue of former Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade was unveiled outside the Kaseya Center in 2024. (Photo: Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
(Kirby Lee via Getty Images)
Dwyane Wade (2024)
A statue honoring the Basketball Hall of Famer was unveiled outside the Kaseya Center to celebrate Wade’s achievements with the Miami Heat. The statue captures a moment he made famous by hitting a game-winning shot in a double overtime match in 2009, but the likeness has sparked some criticism regarding its accuracy.
Fan Take: Tom Brady’s statue unveiling isn’t just a tribute to his incredible career but also a reminder to soccer fans of the importance of honoring legends in their sport. As soccer continues to grow in the U.S., the way we commemorate our stars will influence future generations and elevate the sport’s status in American culture.
