Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes

Ernest Barnes was never great at sports. Despite his parents’ encouragement to play football, Ernest loved art. He loved drawing pictures and painting “bright, vivid colors” with “bold, expressive brushstrokes.” However, when his school’s strength coach, Mr. Tucker, helps Ernest succeed in the weight room, Ernest finds his career shifting toward football and away from art. How will Ernest juggle his growing athletic career and his childhood love for art? Can these two elements coexist in his life? 

Ernest, also known as Ernie, is the inspiring protagonist of the story. Told from Ernest’s perspective, the story follows his life from childhood to adulthood, detailing his accomplishments, struggles, and life experiences. Ernest is a charming, lovable character whose determination to pursue his artistic dreams makes him an admirable character. His struggle to balance two prominent aspects of his life–football and art—will be relatable for readers who feel torn between multiple interests. 

Pigskins to Paintbrushes presents a heartwarming tale of the real life of Ernest Barnes, an artist and professional football player for the American Football League. Despite the contrary opinions of others, Ernest discovers that football and art aren’t separate. For him, they were “one and the same” because they reflect who he is as a person. This theme of pursuing one’s dreams and loving oneself permeates throughout the story and culminates with Ernest believing that he “could be anything he wanted to be!” The story ultimately inspires the readers to reflect on their own talents and dreams.  

Despite the encouraging message, Pigskins to Paintbrushes explores some heavier topics, like the effects of segregation and its impact on Ernest’s career. Colorful, full-page illustrations enhance the plot by providing lovely, painted pictures to accompany the story. Overall, Pigskins to Paintbrushes is a beautiful true story about Ernest Barnes discovering who he wanted to be. Although the story can be simple for experienced readers with each page having only two small paragraphs, Pigskins to Paintbrushes will appeal to artists and sports enthusiasts alike because of its use of vivid illustrations and positive themes. 

Sexual Content 

• None 

Violence 

• Kids bully Ernest at school. The kids “circled him. They shoved Ernest. They snatched away his trombone. Ernest fell and skinned his knee.” 
• Kids taunt Ernest in junior high, and “one day, someone walloped him over the head with a book!”

Drugs and Alcohol 

• None

Language 

• When Ernest tries out for the football team and doesn’t do great, the coach yells, “You never will be nothing!” and “You too pretty to play this game!” 

Supernatural 

• None

Spiritual Content 

• When Ernest’s mom tries to decide if her son should play football, she decides “over a prayer and a plate of fried chicken.” 
• When Ernest was worried about his art exhibit, his mother called him and “offered a prayer.”