“This statue represents everything that the Rocky films stand for: resilience, heart, and the unbreakable bond between Rocky and the people of Philadelphia,” Stallone said, getting emotional as he thanked fans for sticking with him for nearly 50 years.

Talking about the city’s favorite underdog, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corporation CEO Kathryn Ott Lovell connected Rocky’s determination to Philadelphia’s tough spirit. The new statue’s placement matches exactly where movie fans saw it in Rocky III. Philadelphia Museum of Art CEO Sasha Suda talked about the special connection between their building and Rocky’s story. The famous steps became a worldwide landmark after the 1976 movie showed Rocky’s victory run.

For the first time, two Rocky statues will stand at this historic spot. While one stays put where tourists take pictures, its twin will look down from above — giving visitors a double shot of Philadelphia’s fighting spirit through the end of the year.

Source: phl17.com