Michael Strahan’s decision to have his NFL Hall of Fame bust made showing his trademark tooth gap has been celebrated by fans, but the sculptor found it a very difficult request to accommodate.
A Bust with Personality
The NFL puts some rules on what can and cannot be included in the busts for the Hall of Fame. No jewelry is allowed or eye blacking or headwear of any kind.
However, people are allowed to model for the bust with a smile, and it was the uniqueness of Strahan’s smile that gave sculptor Blair Buswell such trouble.
I’m a Sculptor, not a Dentist
Buswell said that smiling is “not the most popular choice” among Hall of Famers, so he didn’t have a lot of experience crafting teeth for his subjects.
It’s also not popular for Buswell, who notes that it’s a challenge. “I give
Buswell spent four hours measuring and remeasuring Strahan’s face, teeth, and mouth with calipers to make sure he got it right, and even then he isn’t sure that he spent enough time.
However, when Strahan’s bust was revealed on Sunday night, the results were surprisingly good. Not exactly the image of life, but a good representation of what Buswell described as “the Gentle Giant” (though, of course, Strahan’s sack record speaks of something other than gentleness). Strahan himself was quick to show his appreciation, smiling broadly alongside his doppelganger and even giving it a kiss on the cheek.
For the rest of us, though, this is just a reminder of how eager we are for the official start of NFL season, which kicks off September 4.
A Dentist and a Sculptor
The sculptor’s difficulty is a reminder that you shouldn’t let just anyone alter your smile. Your cosmetic dentist has to be an artist with a good sense of how to make teeth look attractive. For help getting an attractive smile, please call 845-627-7645 for an appointment with Rockland County cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Dunayer at B & D Dental Excellence in West Nyack.
