Sources: Sanspo / Nikkan / Yomiuri
Kentucky Fried Chicken announced on March 19th that it had held a burial ceremony on March 8 for the Colonel Statue that had been thrown in the Dotonbori Canal by Hanshin Tigers fans on October 16, 1985. The statue was miraculously rediscovered and fished out of the river in early March 2009, but its condition was poor even at that time, and it was becoming more and more difficult to keep it intact in recent years.
Said by fans celebrating the Tigers’ first pennant in 21 years that it resembled Randy Bass, the statue was stolen from outside a KFC near the river and thrown in as part of the frenzy. This event was said to have started the Curse of the Colonel, as the team finished in the bottom half of the standings in 15 of the subsequent 17 seasons, ten of which ended with the team in last place.
A KFC representative commented on the statue’s demise: “This departure has been a deeply moving event. It has helped boost the company brand for many years. It had a beloved presence in the hearts of fans and media alike. I want to express my thanks for its contributions to improving the brand’s image, as its smile remained unchanged when it was discovered in March 2009.”
Upon its return to dry land in 2009, it was named “Welcome Back, Colonel” and its image was used in various promotional events, including last season’s playoff run. The food chain says it is considering bringing back the image for future promotions and will time it to best capitalize on fan excitement.