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Weird News: Giant Ohio Touchdown Jesus Statue Will Be Rebuilt

A giant statue of Christ in Ohio known as Touchdown Jesus will be rebuilt after it was rather ironically struck by lightning and destroyed Monday night. The King of Kings statue, as it was officially called by the Solid Rock Church where it stood, burned to the ground Monday night after being struck by lightning.

Touchdown Jesus statue in Monroe, Ohio (Drust/Flickr)
Touchdown Jesus statue in Monroe, Ohio (Drust/Flickr)

Church officials announced Tuesday they plan to resurrect the statue, nicknamed Touchdown Jesus because of the statue’s odd pose. The giant Jesus statue, also known as Big Butter Jesus for its creamy color, has stood as a regional landmark in Monroe, Ohio along interstate 74 just north of Cincinnati since 2004.

According to Monroe police, lightning appears to have struck the right hand of the giant Touchdown Jesus statue, sparking a fire that rapidly consumed the Styrofoam and fiberglass structure. (Watch video of the Touchdown Jesus fire here.)

While some may not find this all that amusing, we couldn’t help but laugh at a portion of the 911 calls over the Touchdown Jesus fire.

Caller: Reports a “bolt of lightning” has hit the statue.

Dispatcher: “Jesus is on fire”

Caller: “I swear to God, this not a prank … I am serious. I just saw it get struck by lightning.”

Dispatcher: “I believe you.”

Caller: “I know it’s not funny, but literally his one hand is on fire.”

Another Caller: “Lightning hit the touchdown Jesus monument, it’s flaming.”

People from all over the world have reportedly been calling the Solid Rock Church in Ohio about the Touchdown Jesus fire. We’re pretty sure they won’t have too hard of a time raising funds to get him rebuilt pronto.

>> Previously:  Weird News: Giant Ohio Touchdown Jesus Statue Destroyed by Lightning

Weird News: Giant Ohio Touchdown Jesus Statue Destroyed by Lightning

A giant statue of Christ in Ohio known as Touchdown Jesus was destroyed in a fire on Monday after it was struck by lightning. The six story statue was built in 2004 on the grounds of the Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio.

Touchdown Jesus Statue in Monroe, Ohio (Solid Rock Church)
Touchdown Jesus statue in Monroe, Ohio (Solid Rock Church)

The Touchdown Jesus Statue is officially dubbed King of Kings but earned its nickname due to the somewhat odd pose of the Christ figure’s arms – upraised like a referee signaling a football touchdown. The statue is also sometimes referred to as the Big Butter Jesus due to its color and the song about it by comedian Heywood Banks.

Some other nicknames for the Ohio Jesus statue include Giant Jesus, 8-Ball Jesus, Big J, Super Jesus, MC 62-Foot Jesus, Drowning Jesus, Quicksand Jesus, Swamp Jesus.

Lightning reportedly struck the statue Monday night, sparking a fire that consumed the Styrofoam and fiberglass structure. All that remains is part of the statue’s metal frame. The aftermath of the lightning fire has also sparked a new nickname for the statue – Terminator Jesus.

The fire spread from the statue to a nearby amphitheater and caused minor damage but no one was injured. The statue, which was totally destroyed, originally cost about $250,000 to build.

The Touchdown Jesus Ohio statue, located just north of Cincinnati along Interstate 75, was one of the best known landmarks in southwest Ohio. No word yet on whether the church plans to rebuild the giant Jesus.

>> Update:  Giant Ohio Touchdown Jesus Statue Will Be Rebuilt