A mural in West Dallas depicting Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott created a lot of buzz. Sunday, it also became the target of someone who defaced it with a spray can.
Prescott's opposition to players taking a knee during the national anthem as a means of protest inspired the Arlington-based artist behind the mural.
"When I look at it, it's a statement," Oginga Carr said. "It's a social statement."
The canvas, at a spot called Fabrication Yard, drew artist Trey Wilder.
"This is a place where you can just come and be free," Wilder said, of the alleyway full of street art and other forms of expression.
The mural depicts Prescott in the iconic image from the Academy Award-winning film "Get Out." Wilder said the quarterback's recent comments on athletes kneeling during the playing of the national anthem inspired him.
"It was my interpretation of the interview in question, that we're all talking about, of course," Wilder said.
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Throughout the day Sunday, a steady crowd visited mural, photograph it, and reflect on its meaning.
"I didn't even think it would last this long," said Wilder, of the crowds his work drew. "This is a place where people come and paint right over it."
Not long after the artist said that, someone defaced it. Blue spray paint covered Prescott's eyes, and references were painted referring to the media and George Soros.
"They messed up some great art," Davarus Bell said.
For Bell, the incident didn't take away from the issue.
"I can kind of understand where (Prescott) is coming from as a football player," he said. "But as a black man, I don't agree with it."
Prescott drew ire when he questioned whether an NFL field was the time or place to kneel during the national anthem. When asked about the issue during Cowboys training camp in Oxnard, California Sunday, Prescott responded.
"I made my statements. I stand by what I said," Prescott reiterated. "Some people may have misunderstood it, but I feel strongly about what I said."
When asked about the mural, Prescott said, "Everybody has their own opinion."
Bell is glad the Dallas mural has sparked discussion on a hotly debated topic.
"Nice piece of work," he said. "But now somebody ruined it."
