Brandi Chastain is one of the most influential figures in U.S. sports history. When she ripped off her jersey and flexed in the 1999 Women's World Cup Final, it was a triumphant a moment for American sports—and her celebration remains an iconic image to this day.
The point is: Chastain deserved better than this. Get a load of her new plaque at the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, which was unveiled Monday.
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
That...does not look like Brandi Chastain. As the tweet noted, this plaque situation was eerily reminiscent as that of the Cristiano Ronaldo statue in March 2017. Both beautiful humans and incredible soccer players, both represented strangely by artists.
"It's not the most flattering," Chastain told the San Jose Mercury News of the likeness. "But it's nice."
Talk of a new rendering emerged quickly...
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
...as did the comparisons:
I don't know about Brandi Chastain, but they nailed Mickey Rooney. pic.twitter.com/wfSb7irMbx
Chastain, 49, made 192 appearance for the U.S. national team between 1988-2004.