dallasnews
For those who knew Mark Shenefield, the upcoming Sunday night matchup between the Cowboys and Packers will carry a somber tone. Shenefield, affectionately called 'Tattoo Mark' by fellow fans, passed away from a heart attack on October 13 at the age of 64. His passing has left a profound void among those who shared his love for the Cowboys and those who were touched by his generosity.
Sam Lopez, a resident of San Angelo who had been friends with Shenefield for 12 years, expressed how hard it will be to watch the game without him. The two first crossed paths at a Cowboys game in Los Angeles. Shenefield, a lifelong Dallas supporter, lived in Whittier, near Los Angeles, and never missed an opportunity to see his team play in person. Lopez and a group of Cowboys fans had traveled to Los Angeles for that game, and it was there that their friendship took root.
“Mark became a great friend of mine. He was kind, friendly and generous,” Lopez said. Shenefield was retired and had no immediate family except for a niece in Southern California. His parents and grandmother had died from heart-related issues, and aware of his family's medical history, Shenefield made a pivotal decision: he left Los Angeles and moved to Arlington to be as close as possible to his beloved Cowboys for whatever time he had left.
That move brought Shenefield to North Texas, where he rented an apartment directly across from AT&T Stadium. His unwavering passion for the Cowboys and the unique way he displayed it quickly made him a beloved figure among the fan base. Shenefield's body was adorned with tattoos, at least 23 of which were Cowboys-related, according to Lopez. The most prominent was a large tattoo of Emmitt Smith covering nearly his entire back. Lopez noted that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones once called Shenefield the team's “walking billboard.”
The day before his death, Shenefield was with a CBS crew filming a promotional spot for a Cowboys game. “The next day, we didn't hear from him, and then I got the news that he had been found dead,” Lopez said. “It's a shame. Just last week, we got together to plan a cruise in December. He was very excited about the trip.”
Shenefield was a regular at Cowboys home games, often seen walking through the AT&T Stadium parking lots, cheering on his team and engaging with fans. “People loved him because his presence alone radiated joy and positivity,” Lopez said. Despite living on a fixed income, Shenefield attended every home game and occasionally traveled to support the team on the road.
His devotion to the Cowboys was not his only defining trait. Six years ago, Shenefield founded the Tattoo Mark Foundation, a nonprofit that collects new teddy bears for children undergoing treatment at hospitals across the area. “Mark loved children. I think it was because he never had children of his own. And since he didn't have a family, he poured his heart into children,” Lopez said. Shenefield struggled with his weight and, given his family's medical history, felt his time might be limited. That was a primary motivation for starting the foundation. “He wanted to leave a legacy of love and be an example of helping the community,” Lopez added.
Dozens of condolence messages have flooded social media since his death. The nine years he spent in North Texas were enough to leave a lasting impression on many. “Mark was like my brother. We spent a lot of time together. His death has affected me deeply,” said Jose Maturino, a member of Rowdy Nation Tailgating, a group Shenefield was also part of. Maturino and Shenefield attended the Thursday night game at AT&T Stadium together, where the Cowboys lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Two days later, Maturino visited Shenefield's home to spend the afternoon. Their conversation turned to a premonition. “Mark was still really upset about the loss to Tampa and told me, ‘I don't think I'll ever see the Cowboys win another Super Bowl in my life.’”
Shenefield's body remains at a local morgue. His friends have set up a GoFundMe account to raise funds to send his remains back to California. In Whittier, his niece will bury him next to his mother, as he wished. On Sunday, Rowdy Nation Tailgating will host a watch party at Bombshells Restaurant & Bar in Arlington to celebrate Shenefield's life. Before the Cowboys vs. Packers kickoff, friends and loved ones will release balloons in his memory in the parking lot. “Blue and white balloons will reach him in the sky,” Maturino said. “The colors of the team Mark loved so much.”
Key Analysis
Shenefield's story illustrates how sports fandom can transcend the game itself, creating deep community bonds and inspiring philanthropic efforts. His move to Arlington to be near the Cowboys, despite health concerns, underscores the profound personal significance the team held for him. The Tattoo Mark Foundation stands as a testament to his desire to leave a positive mark beyond his fandom, and the outpouring of tributes highlights the impact one individual can have on a community.
Originally reported by dallasnews.