Mural Featuring Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love Unveiled in São Paulo

SAO PAULO (AP) — In the bustling city of Sao Paulo, quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Jordan Love grab attention with their faces emblazoned on a massive 108-foot-high mural on the side of a downtown building.

These two athletes will clash on Friday night when Hurts’ Philadelphia Eagles meet Love’s Green Bay Packers in the first NFL game to be held in a soccer-frenzied nation, where American football has garnered an estimated 38 million fans.

The grand mural was crafted by graffiti artist Crica Monteiro, who has over two decades of experience, alongside six other artists. The project was commissioned by the NFL in collaboration with local company Dionisio AG.

Spanning 11 days, the artists worked tirelessly to complete the mural, adding the final touches late Tuesday.

The directive given to Monteiro’s team was to blend the sport with a touch of Sao Paulo’s essence. This city of 12 million, often referred to as a concrete jungle in the tropics, inspired Monteiro to use vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow to symbolize the tropics, complemented by Sao Paulo’s iconic grey sidewalk.

“I primarily create graffiti featuring Black women, so this was a completely unexpected project,” Monteiro shared with The Associated Press over the phone. “These two men are fascinating individuals. My aim wasn’t to pit them against each other but to capture the subtlety of their expressions. My characters always possess a profound gaze.”

Monteiro’s interest in American football grew after learning about former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who began kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to protest police brutality and racial injustice.

“To me, American football stands as a symbol of defiance, much like NBA basketball. When I envisioned Hurts and Love up there, I saw two Black men playing their unique game, striving for victory,” the artist explained.

In addition to Monteiro’s striking mural, another towering artwork adorns a nearby building as part of the same initiative. This piece, created by artist Bruno Big, depicts Eagles and Packers players vying for the ball against a vivid blue background.

Monteiro hopes these murals will spark a greater interest in American football among Brazilians.

“Sao Paulo stands out from other cities in Brazil. It’s more multicultural. Our people are incredibly curious and creative,” she remarked.