Artist, Football Player, Legend, Ernie Barnes Died Today at 70

Ernie Barnes was born in Durham, North Carolina, and attended North Carolina Central University, where he played college football Barnes played offensive guard in the AFL playing for 3 teams. His artwork is characterized by elongated figures, usually in motion. owing to his athletic background, many of his paintings have a sports theme. He was named Official Artist of the 1984 Summer Olympics. he is the recipient of the 1984 and 2004 Sport artist of the Year Award presented annually by the American Sport Art Museum and Archives. In 2004, rapper and record producer Kanye West commissioned Barnes to paint an interpretation of West's recovery from a 2002 near fatal car crash. The painting, named "A Life Restored", measures 9 ft x 10 ft and hangs from West's dining room ceiling.