Just steps from Sporting Kansas City’s front office, a new mural now stretches across more than 4,000 square feet. A vibrant, powerful tribute to Buck O’Neil and the enduring legacy he left on Kansas City. Commissioned by the Missouri Department of Transportation and brought to life by Kansas City artist Phil “Sike Style” Shafer, the mural is a story and a celebration all at once.
Sporting KC players Ryan Schewe, Mason Toye, and Ian James recently visited the mural and met with Sike to learn about Buck O’Neil. All three players come from different corners of the country, but it was a chance to connect not only with Kansas City’s past but also with the soul of its Black history and community leadership.
“I mean it was pretty cool,” said Schewe. “I knew nothing about the league in general. So just kind of getting an idea was kind of nice.” His reaction was echoed by his teammates, who were moved by both the artistry and the history it captured.
Mason Toye reflected, “I had like, I knew a little bit about the Negro League, but I didn't really know about Buck O’Neil… to learn more about a legend of the city and somebody that was big in Negro League baseball, but just in general in terms of pushing the Black community forward, it was super interesting.”
Shafer, known for his geometric portrait style and deep connections to the community, included layers of symbolism in the mural, from the Monarchs logo to a heartfelt depiction of O’Neil in a striking green suit, an homage laced with personal stories and cultural references. “The greatest thing in all my life is loving you!” one of the first aspects you notice of the mural is one of many details that caught the players’ eyes.
Toye was particularly struck by that vivid green suit. “You know, the Steve Harvey reference, I like it just it clicked in my mind right away. So, I can tell, Buck was full of light… big heart and a bright heart.”
For Ian James, the mural was a reminder of how storytelling in art can preserve and expand understanding: “There was so much to learn and so much to take in… there’s just so many small details that I would have never picked up if I wasn't explained to them.” One such detail stood out to him: “My favorite part was the handshake… it was such a small detail, but it means a lot with the unity as well… it really makes you think about the progress Black people have made, especially in this aspect of sports.”
Shafer also shared how his own father once encouraged him to meet O’Neil at the K, a moment he reflected on often while painting. He even painted his father tipping his cap in the mural, a quiet tribute that threads generations together through art.
As Schewe noted, “Everyone just passes that every day and sees his face. So, it’s amazing.”
In a city rich with sports tradition and cultural depth, the Buck O’Neil mural serves as both a history lesson and a visual representation that invites new residents, like these Sporting KC players, to look a little deeper into what (and who) makes Kansas City proud.
If you haven’t already checked out the mural, it is located at the south end of the Buck O’Neil Bridge at the intersection of Broadway Ave. and 3rd St. You can also learn more about the artist at: https://sikestyle.myportfolio.com/
