Columbia tries to distract Yale kicker with image of Dwyane Wade statue – NBC 6 South Florida

The Columbia Lions gave it their all in the Ivy League college football showdown against the Yale Bulldogs on Friday night.

After Yale quarterback Grant Jordan hit running back Nathan Denney for a 24-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the visiting Bulldogs prepared for an extra point at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium in New York.

But before the ball was snapped, an image of the viral Dwyane Wade statue appeared on the Jumbotron, positioned just behind the goal post, attempting to throw off Yale kicker Nick Conforti.

The tactic wasn't successful, however, as Conforti easily converted the extra point, giving the Bulldogs a 7-3 lead.

However, Columbia won the conference matchup 13-10.

Earlier this week, the Miami Heat honored Wade with a bronze statue outside Kaseya Arena. But the statue spread for all the wrong reasons, with many criticizing the lack of facial resemblance to Wade.

Oscar Leon, one of the sculpture's artists, spoke out in an interview with NBC South Florida amid the criticism.

“For the critics, there is a lot that needs to be understood,” Leon said. “We have to seal everything to preserve the integrity of the sculpture. However, this has a fun little side effect because we shine in areas that we are not used to seeing when we look at someone in the flesh.”

“The seal definitely creates a little misunderstanding to the eye,” he added. “So I would definitely recommend everyone to come to Miami and see it in person.”

Dwyane Wade was honored Sunday night at the Kaseya Center, where the Miami Heat unveiled his new statue.