Controversial Statue Reinstalled at Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field
ARLINGTON, Texas – The 12-foot bronze statue known as “One Riot, One Ranger,” removed from Dallas Love Field in 2020 amid controversy, has been reinstalled at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field. The statue, depicting a member of the Texas Rangers law enforcement agency, was unveiled on Monday, March 2, 2026, on the left field concourse of the ballpark.
History of the Statue
Originally donated to the city of Dallas in 1961 by restaurateur Earle Wyatt and his wife, Mildred, the statue was sculpted by Waldine Amanda Tauch. It stood at Dallas Love Field for nearly 60 years before its removal following the publication of Doug J. Swanson’s book, Cult of Glory: The Bold and Brutal History of the Texas Rangers.
The statue’s name originates from an anecdote involving Texas Ranger Captain William “Bill” McDonald, who in 1896 reportedly quelled an illegal prize fight with his presence alone, responding to a question about backup with, “Hell, I ain’t enough? There’s only one prize fight.” However, the statue itself is modeled after Captain E.J. “Jay” Banks, a Texas Ranger in the 1950s. [Dallas News]
Controversy and Removal
Swanson’s book detailed instances of brutality and racism within the Texas Rangers, specifically citing Banks’ role in preventing the integration of Mansfield High School and Texarkana Junior College in 1956. [Wikipedia] This led to calls for the statue’s removal, which occurred in June 2020.
Reinstallation and Response
The statue was held in storage at Alliance Airport in Fort Worth before being loaned to the Texas Ranger Association Foundation with the intention of displaying it at a planned museum in Waco, which never materialized. [Dallas News] The foundation then collaborated with the Texas Rangers baseball team to install it at Globe Life Field.
Russell Molina, a board member of the Texas Ranger Association Foundation, stated, “We recognize that the history of the Texas Rangers, like that of our state and nation, includes moments that must be confronted honestly.” [NBC DFW] Ray Davis, the Rangers’ majority owner, emphasized the team’s support for law enforcement, stating, “In Texas, the point of the spear for our law enforcement are the Texas Rangers. We are very proud to be associated with them.” [NBC DFW]
Swanson expressed hope that the reinstallation would be accompanied by additional context regarding the full history of the Texas Rangers. [Dallas News]