INDIANAPOLIS/ SEPTEMBER 12, 2018/ Ribbons, rings and trophies are just a few of the ways we honor some of the world’s most accomplished athletes. But nothing demonstrates iconic status like a bronze statue.
The world’s largest children’s museum just revealed multiple life-sized bronze statues to honor 16 of some of the most amazing athletes to ever compete.
12 bronzes to represent the 16 athletes were installed at the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis honor 16 legends including: soccer star DaMarcus Beasley; basketball legends Larry Bird, Tamika Catchings, Bobby “Slick” Leonard, Reggie Miller, and Oscar Robertson; acclaimed Negro Leagues Baseball team the Indianapolis Clowns and three of its players (Hank Aaron, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, and Toni Stone); auto racing champion A.J. Foyt Jr.; award-winning golfers and golf course designers Pete and Alice Dye; hockey great Wayne Gretzky; track ace Wilma Rudolph; the Indianapolis Colts’ record-setting wide receiver Reggie Wayne; and tennis advocate Barbara Wynne.
The sculptures are now part of the National Art Museum of Sport (NAMOS) collection, a group of more than 1,000 artworks focused on recreational and professional athletics within the Riley Children’s Health Sports Legends Experience.
“Many of these legends confronted obstacles in their lives – poverty, racism, physical disabilities – yet they persevered, driven by a resolve to do the best they could despite what stood in their way,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “The Museum wants visitors to understand that legends don’t become legends the easy way – they take the lessons they learn from mistakes, failures and their passions and apply them to everything they do.”