John Riggins 1972

LeRoy Neiman’s energetic painting captures the essence of John Riggins in motion, a modern-day gladiator rendered in vibrant swathes of color. Note the focused gaze, the ball clutched tight—symbols of purpose and determination familiar from ancient depictions of heroes and athletes. The symbolism of the athlete, striving against all odds, echoes through time, from the marble statues of Greek Olympians to Renaissance portrayals of military leaders. The very act of running, depicted here with such dynamism, brings to mind the messenger figures of antiquity, like Hermes, perpetually in motion, bridging worlds. The athlete's focused gaze, the determination etched in his posture, taps into our collective memory of striving and overcoming. The collective consciousness remembers the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Neiman's vibrant, almost frenzied brushstrokes amplify this psychological intensity, drawing us into the emotional core of the sporting contest. The image, therefore, transcends a simple portrait, becoming an icon of human endeavor, connecting us to a lineage of striving figures across history.