Josh Harris’ tenure as owner of the Commanders has brought with it a number of changes, but his most recent may be the most popular, at least among Washington fans.

Harris and his organization voted to remove a controversial statue erected in honor of Sean Taylor, the two-time Pro Bowler whose tragic and untimely death in 2007 continues to resonate in the Washington, D.C. area 17 years later.

The original installation – a wire mannequin clad in a Washington helmet and a jersey designed to resemble the one Taylor wore during his professional career – was widely criticized when it was first unveiled in November 2022. Critics noted that it appeared to be cheaply made and featured a Nike jersey, even though Taylor never wore a Nike jersey. The helmet also included no reference to the face tape that Taylor regularly wore during his playing career.

Here’s what you need to know about the Commanders’ decision to demolish Taylor’s Shrine.

MORE: Meet Jackie Taylor, the North Carolina volleyball phenom who is honoring her father in a special way

Why are the Commanders removing the statue of Sean Taylor?

Washington appears to have taken seriously the concerns of countless fans who expressed their outrage over the Commanders’ so-called tribute to their fallen star.

“We recognize that installation is not enough to honor one of our franchise’s most legendary players,” the team said in a statement Saturday. “Together with the Taylor family, we are working on a plan that includes the unveiling of a statue that will properly honor the legacy and impact Sean had on our organization, our fan base and our community. The Washington Commanders are committed to honoring our legends in a world-class manner.”

The original monument looked more like it could find a home at Target or Old Navy. Although members of Taylor’s family – including his daughter Jackie – attended the structure’s unveiling and tacitly expressed support for its design, the criticism never really subsided.

“I am grateful to Josh Harris and the Commanders family for their continued commitment to keeping my father’s legacy alive,” Jackie Taylor said in a statement. “I look forward to sharing plans in the future and learning more about my father through this process. I am forever grateful for the love and support of this special fan base. I am filled with gratitude knowing that my father will forever be a part of the burgundy and gold family.”

It seems Harris has taken note of the condemnation, and now, nearly two years after it was issued, it is being struck down and replaced with something that does justice to Taylor’s excellence on and off the field.

What happened to Sean Taylor?

Taylor was one of football’s brightest talents, winning two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons in his first four years. On November 27, 2007, Taylor was murdered when a group of people broke into his Florida home and shot him in the leg. The bullet severed his femoral artery, causing significant blood loss and eventual death.

The man who prosecutors said fired the gun was sentenced to more than 57 years in prison in 2014.