KANSAS CITY, Mo.-As a lifelong Kansas Citian, mural artist Phil “Sike Style” Shafer was fully aware of the magnitude of this project.

Shafer was selected to depict the life and legacy of KC legend Buck O’Neil on the brand-new bridge that bears his name.

“It felt surreal for us to be painting this,” he says, “This is really going to mean a lot to people who knew him, didn’t know him, or just met him a few times.”

As a child, Shafer was introduced to Buck by his father, and the experience stuck with him.

In fact, he decided to include his dad in the mural in recognition of that event which has brought “Sike Style” full circle.

“He’s tipping his hat to Buck O’Neil as a sign of respect, Shafer says.”

There are plenty of other meaningful representations in the artwork which spans two blocks at 3^rd and Broadway, under the newly opened Buck O’Neil Bridge.

On the east side, the mural reads “the greatest thing in all my life is loving you,” which were lyrics from a song Buck often sang at public appearances.

Down from that is O’Neil’s famous red legacy seat from Kauffman Stadium, as well as the jersey number 22 from Buck’s playing days.  

Buck’s portrait and signature sit at the intersection, with several images of the Negro Leagues and the Kansas City Monarchs spanning the north wall.

Shafer says the Buck O’Neil project is more than a tribute to a great Kansas Citian.

It’s also part of the ever-growing public art movement downtown.

“I think it’s important we tell these stories, making sure people have a way of engaging with this art for free…and also just making people feel like their neighborhood and the area is more inviting.”