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Does Soccer Legend Brandi Chastain's Plaque Look Like Mrs. Doubtfire?
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 7 years ago on
May 22, 2018

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SAN FRANCISCO — A bronze plaque honoring soccer star Brandi Chastain got a red card Tuesday after a social media outcry over its unflattering portrayal of the athlete.
The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco said Tuesday it will redo the plaque, which was unveiled a day earlier and quickly panned by the public.
Fans on Twitter compared the likeness to former President Jimmy Carter, actors Gary Busey and Mickey Rooney, baseball player Babe Ruth, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and movie character Mrs. Doubtfire, played by Robin Williams.

Brandi Chastain's Bay Area Hall of Fame Plaque
In this photo taken Monday May 21, 2018, Bay Area Sports Hall of Hame inductee Brandi Chastain’s plaque is displayed during a press conference in San Francisco. Social media is finding little to like about the likeness on a plaque honoring retired soccer champion Chastain. The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco unveiled the plaque on Monday night. Chastain diplomatically said “it’s not the most flattering. But it’s nice.” (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Chastain is often remembered for ripping off her jersey in celebration of her game-winning penalty kick in the 1999 World Cup.
Chastain attended the unveiling of her plaque at a San Francisco hotel Monday night and graciously commented, “It’s not the most flattering. But it’s nice,” according to The Mercury News of San Jose.
Hall of Fame president Kevin O’Brien told KTVU-TV that he spoke with Chastain on Tuesday and offered to redo the plaque if she sent in a new photograph of herself. She agreed and a new plaque will be made, O’Brien said.
“It’s expensive,” he said. “But it’s the right thing to do.”
Brandi Chastain rips off her jersey.
FILE – In this July 10, 1999, file photo, the United States’ Brandi Chastain celebrates by taking off her jersey after kicking in the game-winning goal in a penalty shootout against China in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Social media is finding little to like about the likeness on a plaque honoring the retired soccer champion. The Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco unveiled the plaque on Monday, May 21, 2018. Chastain diplomatically said “it’s not the most flattering. But it’s nice.” (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

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Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

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