Toronto Honors Kyle Lowry With Statue and Key to the City

The Toronto Raptors and the city of Toronto honored retired NBA star Kyle Lowry with a series of tributes over the weekend, culminating in the unveiling of a statue and the presentation of a key to the city. The celebrations, centered around a free block party outside Scotiabank Arena on Saturday, September 20, 2026, recognized Lowry's nine-season tenure with the franchise and his pivotal role in delivering Toronto's first NBA championship in 2019. Mayor Olivia Chow presented Lowry with the key to the city during the event, stating, "Kyle Lowry gave Toronto more than unforgettable moments on the court, he gave our city his heart." The key is awarded to individuals who embody the spirit of Toronto and have made significant contributions to the community. The centerpiece of the tribute was a new statue unveiled by the Raptors. The monument depicts a golden dinosaur wearing Lowry's No. 7 jersey and a championship ring, with a nameplate designating him "The Greatest Raptor of All Time." The design choice, which features a dinosaur rather than a likeness of Lowry himself, drew widespread criticism from fans and observers online, with many calling it disrespectful or poorly executed.