there is no greater proof, to me, that Sonic Mania is a labour of love and passion above all else, representing and referencing elements of Sonic as a whole that casual fans would never even notice.
Borderlands 2 did a similar thing where a named NPC you can randomly encounter in sanctuary is named and modeled after a Borderlands fan that passed away.
He even gives you random loot and spawns with his namesakes favorite weapon equipped.