Basketball fans are used to seeing Jayson Tatum make headlines for his step-back jumper or his obsession with Saint Louis. But lately, the conversation has shifted from the court to his skin. Specifically, a massive piece of work that has sparked a tidal wave of memes, debates, and "is he serious?" tweets. We're talking about the jayson tatum tattoo of himself.
It’s not just a small portrait tucked away on a bicep. It is a full-scale recreation of one of the most iconic moments of his career—and arguably his life. After the Boston Celtics secured Banner 18 in June 2024, Tatum decided that a ring and a parade weren't enough. He wanted the victory to be permanent.
The Story Behind the Ink
In September 2024, images surfaced of Tatum’s updated back. The new addition? A hyper-realistic tattoo of Jayson Tatum himself, shirtless, draped in the Larry O’Brien trophy. He's kissing the gold. It’s a scene ripped straight from the post-game locker room celebrations after the Celtics dispatched the Dallas Mavericks.
Honestly, the level of detail is impressive. You can see the intensity in the face and the reflection on the trophy. But the internet, being the internet, immediately went into a frenzy. Some called it "legendary," while others labeled it the peak of "main character energy."
Is it a bit much? Maybe. But if you just won a world championship after years of people saying you couldn't get it done, wouldn't you want to see that every time you looked in a mirror? Well, technically he can’t see it without a second mirror, since it’s on his back.
Who Did the Work?
The piece was reportedly done by Steve Wiebe, a legendary tattoo artist who has become the go-to guy for NBA royalty. Wiebe has worked with Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, and has a long-standing relationship with Tatum. In fact, Wiebe’s style is so intertwined with Tatum’s brand that they even collaborated on a "Tattoo" edition of the Jordan 4 PE sneakers.
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The tattoo isn't a standalone piece. It’s part of a massive, evolving collage that covers almost every inch of Tatum's back.
A Back Full of Stories
To understand the jayson tatum tattoo of himself, you have to look at what else is back there. Tatum treats his back like a scrapbooked history of his journey. It’s crowded. It’s chaotic. And it’s deeply personal.
- God’s Will: The most famous (or infamous) part of his ink is the "God's Will" text spanning his shoulders. It famously lacked an apostrophe for a while, leading to years of "Gods will what?" jokes on Reddit. He eventually got it fixed.
- The Archer Sign: A tribute to Archer Avenue in St. Louis where he grew up. He never lets anyone forget he’s from University City.
- The 98: A large "98" on his leg/knee area for his birth year, though the back features other nods to his roots.
- The Kobe Tribute: Tatum’s idolization of Kobe Bryant is well-documented. He has a "24" inside a Mamba snake on his leg, but the back piece echoes that "mamba mentality" of self-belief.
Why the Self-Portrait Caused a Stir
There is a specific kind of unwritten rule in the "unspoken book of cool" that says you shouldn't get a tattoo of your own face. It’s the ultimate "I love me" move. When Steve Ballmer or a tech CEO does something self-aggrandizing, people roll their eyes. When an NBA superstar does it, it becomes a 48-hour news cycle on ESPN.
But here is the thing: NBA players are modern-day gladiators. Their bodies are the tools of their trade. For Tatum, this isn't about vanity—or at least, not just vanity. It’s about the narrative. He spent years being called "too soft" or "not a Tier 1 superstar." Winning that trophy was his "I told you so" moment.
Getting the jayson tatum tattoo of himself holding that trophy is essentially him spiking the football for the rest of eternity.
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The Trend of Self-Tattoos in Sports
Tatum isn't actually the first one to do this. Remember Richarlison? The Brazilian soccer star famously got a massive back tattoo featuring his own face alongside Neymar and Ronaldo. Leroy Sané has a huge tattoo on his back of... himself celebrating a goal for Manchester City.
Compared to those, Tatum’s is actually somewhat "tame" because it focuses on the trophy as much as the man. It captures a milestone rather than just a portrait for the sake of a portrait.
The Technical Execution
If you're a tattoo nerd, you have to appreciate the grayscale work here. The shading on the Larry O'Brien trophy is notoriously difficult because you have to make skin look like shiny, reflective metal. Wiebe managed to pull it off without it looking like a yellow blob.
The placement is also strategic. It sits among his other accolades and "reminders," creating a visual timeline. You have the "God's Will" at the top—the foundation—and the championship at the bottom—the result of that faith and work.
What Fans Get Wrong
A lot of the criticism comes from the idea that Tatum is "corny." He’s been mocked for his "We Did It!" scream and for mimicking Kevin Garnett’s iconic "Anything is possible" line. People think he tries too hard to create "moments."
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But if you look at his career trajectory, Tatum is just a guy who is very aware of his legacy. He’s a student of the game who wants to be in the history books. If he wants to put those history books on his skin, that's just his way of processing the journey.
Moving Forward with Your Own Ink
If you're inspired by Tatum's bold (and slightly controversial) choice to get a self-portrait or a milestone tattoo, there are a few things to consider before you head to the shop.
- Find a Realist Specialist: Portraits are the easiest tattoos to mess up. One wrong line and Jayson Tatum looks like a character from a PS2 game. If you're going for a "moment" tattoo, look for artists who specialize in "Photo-Realism."
- Size Matters: You can't get this kind of detail in a 3-inch space. Tatum used a significant portion of his back for a reason. Realism needs room to breathe.
- Think About the Story: Tatum’s back works because it's a map of his life. Before getting a massive piece, think about how it fits with your other ink. Does it tell a story, or is it just a random image?
- The "Cringe" Factor: Are you okay with people roasting you? Tatum doesn't care what people on Twitter think of his back. If you get a tattoo of yourself, you need that same level of "I don't give a damn" energy.
The jayson tatum tattoo of himself is more than just ink; it's a declaration of victory. Whether you think it's the coolest thing ever or the height of arrogance, it's undeniably Tatum. It's bold, it's high-quality, and it's a permanent reminder that he reached the mountain top.
If you're planning your next piece, take a page out of Tatum's book: make it mean something to you, find a world-class artist like Steve Wiebe, and don't worry about the critics. Just maybe double-check the apostrophes if you're adding any text.