American soccer legend Brandi Chastain is one of the most recognizable women athletes in the world. But sports fans were scratching their heads after viewing her plaque as she was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night.
In their minds, Chastain’s bust was, well, a bust.
Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle, who wrote inscription for the plaque, called the rendition "shameful" and tweeted that Chastain's plaque makes Cristiano Ronaldo's plaque "look perfect."
“Brandi Chastain is one of the most beautiful athletes I’ve ever covered. How this became her plaque is a freaking embarrassment,” she tweeted.
Brandi Chastain is one of the most beautiful athletes I’ve ever covered. How this became her plaque is a freaking embarrassment for BASHOF. Makes Cristiano’s look perfect. pic.twitter.com/hta6c0cmSo
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) May 22, 2018
BASHOF, which only has a handful of women in their hall, needs to go back and redo this. It’s shameful.
— Ann Killion (@annkillion) May 22, 2018
Chastain was inducted during a ceremony at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco. She has won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cup titles with the United States women’s soccer team.
Chastain was diplomatic about the plaque, the San Jose Mercury News reported.
“It’s not the most flattering,” Chastain said. “But it’s nice.”
So @annkillion says Brandi Chastain’s plaque for the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame is set to be redone. Which, you know, yes. pic.twitter.com/vdWQLHLv8G
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 22, 2018
On a lighter note, social media posters were having a field day. Some compared Chastain’s likeness to Gary Busey, Rex Ryan, Jimmy Johnson, Jerry Glanville, Peter King, Jerry Lewis, John Goodman, Bill Belichick and even Mickey Rooney. Others were comparing it to a hideous rendition of another soccer legend, Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Cristiano Ronaldo sculptor: Eh, this isn't too bad. Brandi Chastain sculptor: Hold my chisel," The Washington Post tweeted.
"I don't know about Brandi Chastain, but they nailed Mickey Rooney," Jason Davis tweeted.
There are no plans to redo the plaque, Andy Savick, the vice president of finance and administration for BASHOF told the Mercury News. He told the newspaper that images on the plaques are “representations” and not intended to be photographic likenesses.
Chastain’s bust was on a more favorable view at the 1999 World Cup. She scored the game-winning penalty kick and celebrated by sinking to her knees, ripping off her jersey to reveal her sports bra while clenching her fists. The photograph of that moment has become an iconic moment of celebration in sports history.
I don't know about Brandi Chastain, but they nailed Mickey Rooney. pic.twitter.com/wfSb7irMbx
— Jason Davis, The ⚽📻 Maker (@davisjsn) May 22, 2018
Brandi Chastain's Hall of Fame plaque looks absolutely nothing like Brandi Chastain. 😬 https://t.co/BZpwQV4bIj pic.twitter.com/xw0J4yE6yG
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 22, 2018
Why does Brandi Chastain’s Hall of Fame plaque have Jerry Granville on it? #BrandiChastain pic.twitter.com/3oeM7YYfjG
— MikeDubberlyGDA (@MikeDubberlyGDA) May 22, 2018
Brandi Chastain’s
— Joe (@JoeAno1) May 22, 2018
Hall of Fame Plaque
is a tribute to the late
great Jonathan Winters.
That’s sweet. pic.twitter.com/y5qKj7m34V
Hey @BayAreaSportHOF, we’re just as upset as you are that Peter King is leaving SI but this plaque was supposed to be Brandi Chastain https://t.co/GTwQhuAtoc pic.twitter.com/C7Nz3Kc3jz
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) May 22, 2018
Twitter users hilariously see Jim McElwain’s likeness in bizarre Brandi Chastain plaque https://t.co/ixbli7P1jB #GatorNation pic.twitter.com/D2tPGP1ku2
— SEC Country Florida (@SECCountryUF) May 22, 2018
There are no plans to redo the plaque, Andy Savick, the vice president of finance and administration for BASHOF told the Mercury News. He told the newspaper that images on the plaques are “representations” and not intended to be photographic likenesses.
Chastain’s bust was on a more favorable view at the 1999 World Cup. She scored the game-winning penalty kick and celebrated by sinking to her knees, ripping off her jersey to reveal her sports bra while clenching her fists. The photograph of that moment has become an iconic moment of celebration in sports history.
Here are some other infamous renditions of athletes. How does the Chastain plaque measure up?
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