KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A larger than life mural of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes now adorns on the south wall of the Westport Ale House.
It’s 99% complete, but catches the attention of 100% of the people who drive, walk or bike in the area.
Folks already have taken hundreds of pics, dropping by for special occasions and even posing with pets.
Employees even spotted a Denver Broncos fans getting a picture taken with the 15-foot-tall Mahomes.
Phil Shafer, who goes by the name "SikeStyle” as a graphic artist and muralist, is the artist behind the "Showtime” homage.
"It was time for him to have his own billboard, his own mural,” Shafer said. "And this is what it ended up kind of being. Mahomes embodies this new life that Chiefs fans have been looking for, waiting for and the potential we all knew was possible.”
It took SikeStyle a week to bring the wall to life.
“There are many murals that have tried to be painted here, but this is finally the one that stuck," Shafer said. "I think it’s a matter of timing.”
The timing couldn’t be better as the Chiefs, who are 4-0 entering a Sunday Night Football showdown with the Indianapolis Colts on 41 Action News, celebrate the franchise's 60th season.
With Mahomes coming of an MVP campaign and off to an MVP-caliber start, Kansas City is rallying behind a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
"I like the way we bridged the gap for the arts and sports and business in Kansas City," Shafer said. "I became an artist because I think that was my destiny.”
He believes Mahomes' destiny includes bringing a championship (or a few) to Kansas City, especially if his art is any indicator.
“The Royals won a World Series after I painted a mural for them," Shafer said. "That’s all I’m gonna say.”
There’s a lot of work being done in Westport.
Right next to the mural, there are piles of gravel next to construction crews digging and a frenetic Bobcat skid-steer hard at work.
The empty lot that faces the mural is the future site of a new Westport brunch spot, one that will let you feast your eyes on Mahomes Magic.
Shafer said he just needs one thing to make his mural 100% complete.
"Mahomes, if you’re out there watching, I’ve got an extra stencil for you," he said. "If you want to add your signature to the bottom of this, I’d love to have you. I just need your final touch to the mural and then it’ll be complete.”
