You must have imagined it. Especially since I've never been able to bring myself to request an avi since I have the mentality that I should be able to just make my own. Yes, it's rather illogical.
As for the banner, I prefer to feature my own characters there. As opposed to only a single avi in my avatar space. So while either of those two would have a connection to him, that's not what I'm using the space for.