Lions Amon-Ra or Huitzilopochtli? Detroit artist paints star receiver as Aztec Sun God

DETROIT, MI –– To honor the beginning of Latino Heritage Month, Brush Street in downtown Detroit transformed into a fiesta.

Hundreds of people filled the street visiting different vendors at the Plaza De Los Leones outside of Ford Field.

They enjoyed performances from the Ballet De Folklorico and Mariachi Feminil Detroit, Salsa lessons, and a lowrider display –– highlighting different aspects of Latino culture, before the Sunday, Sept. 15 Detroit Lions' game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tucked away in a tent, but still shining with passion and talent, was Detroit-native Natalie Rivera.

Patiently and focused, Rivera moved her brush across a canvas with intent.

And on the canvas?

Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, in full 'Sun God' mode, but with a cultural twist. Rivera has made him indistinguishable from the Aztec Sun God Huitzilopochtli.

Besides of course, a big '14′ on his chest and a Detroit Lions logo on his shield.

"I found out that St. Brown's nickname is 'The Sun God' and in Egyptian his full name means 'Sun God' or 'Light' so I was like O.K. that's perfect. Let me draw him as the Aztec Sun God cause I felt like it just fit," Rivera said.

Rivera was contracted by the Detroit Lions through the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. She was selected among multiple other artist to be the spotlight artist for Sunday's game.

: See our top photos as Tampa Bay hands Detroit Lions a loss at Ford Field

She saw it as an opportunity to celebrate off her Latino culture and let people know: Detroit is full of that culture.

"I think it's really good for the southwest Detroit community because we get a little bit overlooked. I lived there, I was born and raised," Rivera said. "If you travel down a little bit you'll see it's Mexican town. It's southwest Detroit. It's our culture."

More on MLive:

'Cinnamon rolls as big as your head': How a bakery makes its half-pound treat

Kalamazoo pays $14K to Black man to settle 'wrongful arrest' suit