LANDOVER — The Washington Commanders made a series of tweaks to the memorial installation dedicated to Sean Taylor at FedEx Field after the display drew widespread backlash at its unveiling last month.
The changed display now includes an accurate Reebok jersey instead of Nike, a taped facemask, taped ankles and updated socks. The previous version — which fans criticized for looking like a mannequin, among other issues — was unveiled prior to a Nov. 27 home game against the Atlanta Falcons.
The changes were made in time for Sunday’s prime-time affair against the New York Giants, Washington’s first home game since the memorial was revealed.
“We recognize the importance of making the Sean Taylor memorial as authentic as possible to fans’ memories of him, and working with his family, have made some changes and are working with them on some special additions,” a team spokesperson said in a statement. “And we will continue to make it better over time as opportunities arise.”
The most up to date photos of the Sean Taylor memorial installation. @PeteHaileyNBCS @NickiJhabvala pic.twitter.com/QzjWkxDupO
— John Keim (@john_keim) December 18, 2022
The first version of Taylor’s memorial was dinged for a lack of details. Fans wondered why the facemask, for instance, didn’t have small pieces of tape as Taylor used to wear on occasion. And the team faced criticism for putting up a Taylor Nike jersey, even though Nike didn’t become the NFL’s official uniform provider until years after the late safety’s death.