Yet another sporting great immortalized in bronze - this time, Baylor's Robert Griffin III

We've mentioned sporting statues a lot in our blog posts here at Big Statues, but we don't apologize for having another great one to report for all of you fans of custom made bronze statues. On this occasion, it's Robert Griffin III of the Baylor Bears college football team who can celebrate being immortalized in bronze forever.

It's not a small achievement that the man otherwise known as RG3 is being commemorated for - he is, after all, Baylor's only Heisman Trophy winner. That was in 2011, and almost three years on from his playing days at Baylor, the man himself returned to a place that "will always be home for me." He couldn't have come back at a better time, given the new $266 million riverfront McLane Stadium that the Bears had to debut.

24-year old Griffin III may now be the third-year starting quarterback for the Washington Redskins, but he looked momentarily transported back to his college days for the unveiling of his bronze statue in the plaza at the stadium's south end. He even said the pregame prayer, joined former President George W. Bush for the coin flip and served as guest conductor for the halftime performance of the Golden Wave Band.

Even so, he surely spent the most time on the big day simply being wowed by such an exceptional honor, commenting: "It still hasn't hit me. I'm sure when we drop this curtain here, it will hit me. But this is something that will be here forever. And it's a big day not for me, but for my family, for my future family, and I consider everyone here today family."

Sure enough, many of RG3's extended family were there to see the unveiling of the nine and a half foot monumental bronze statue itself. It was the work of West Texas native and now Arizona-based Tom White, whose sculpture depicts the braided Bears legend in a throwing motion. The level of detail is impressive, extending to visible veins on both legs as well as the signature towel in front.

In presenting the statue to the world, Director of Athletics Ian McCaw commented: "Robert has done so much to raise the bar for Baylor and to extend the university's brand.

"When Robert won the Heisman in 2011, Baylor fans across the nation celebrated with him. We're proud of him, proud of his accomplishments, and most of all proud of the incredible way that he always represents Baylor University. Robert, we're grateful to have you here today to celebrate a dream that you're very much a part of."

We certainly consider it a well-deserved honor here at Big Statues, and can only congratulate Robert Griffin III on being the subject of this latest addition to the legion of sports-related custom made bronze statues, in addition to wishing him continued success for the rest of his still-young career.

Editor’s Note: Big Statues (http://www.bigstatues.com/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Luc Robitaille to get Staples Center statue tribute

We've covered news about statue commemorations of quite a few sporting legends in recent weeks and months here at Big Statues, and there always seems to be new announcements of custom made bronze statues like those that we make ourselves. Well, the latest man to be immortalized in such a way is none other than National Hockey League (NHL) great Luc Jean-Marie Robitaille.

Robitaille certainly made a momentous impact in his 19-season career in the NHL, winning the Stanley Cup in 2001-02 with the Detroit Red Wings, in addition to stints with the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers. However, he will always be most strongly associated with the Los Angeles Kings, for which he is presently President of business operations.

By the time of his retirement after the 2005-06 season, Robitaille was the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history, also holding numerous Kings franchise and playoff records. In 2009, he was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. It shouldn't be a big surprise, therefore, that he is to be the seventh Los Angeles sports icon to be given the honor of a statue at Staples Center's Star Plaza.

Robitaille's statue will be unveiled on March 7 prior to a Kings-Pittsburgh game next season, as part of the Kings Legends Night Series - which will also see tributes paid to Barry Melrose and Tony Granato. Melrose, the Kings' head coach from 1992-95, will be honored on February 12 before a Kings-Calgary game, followed by another former Kings player over 380 games, Granato on February 24, ahead of a Kings-Detroit game.

The Kings will also mark these nights by donning vintage jerseys, the only time during the season that they will be worn, with attending fans being given commemorative posters. As for Robitaille, it takes a lot for someone to become only the second hockey player after Wayne Gretzky to be honored with a statue in Star Plaza.

Sure enough, the 48 year old Canadian has remarkable achievements to look back on, such as the more than 40 goals scored in each of his first eight seasons with the Kings, including a career-high 63 in 1992-93. 668 goals and 1,394 points over his career gave him the NHL record for both as a left winger, and he is the holder of the Kings' franchise record for goals - 577 - as well.

As such big fans of custom made bronze statues, we eagerly await the statue's unveiling here at Big Statues, and can only congratulate Robitaille on a career that has proved more than worthy of such an astonishing tribute.

Editor’s Note: Big Statues (http://www.bigstatues.com/) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.