Cowboys Star Brings Community Dream to Life with Splash Pad Groundbreaking

Hometown Hero Returns

Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarvion Overshown returned home for the official groundbreaking of a new community splash pad, a project he called years in the making. The 25-year-old NFL player stood in his hometown of Arp, Texas, watching a childhood dream become reality as construction officially began on a facility that represents much more than summer fun for local families.

"It's been a long time coming, but, with the donations from the community, we made it," Overshown said Thursday. The splash pad project represents the culmination of years of planning and fundraising, with Overshown himself contributing significantly to make it happen. Overshown presented a check to the city for $5,000 during a September 2025 football game, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to the community that shaped him.

Born in Tyler, Overshown graduated from Arp High School, where he played football before accepting an athletic scholarship to the University of Texas, where he was named the Alamo Bowl defensive MVP in 2020 and first-team All-Big 12 in 2022. After he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the third round. Despite his professional success, Overshown has never forgotten his roots in the small East Texas town.

Building More Than Recreation

The splash pad represents more than just a place for children to cool off during Texas summers. For Overshown, it's part of a larger vision for his hometown. Looking ahead, Overshown said his vision for Arp is bigger than just the splash pad. "I want this place to become the heart of East Texas," Overshown said. This ambitious goal reflects his deep connection to the community and desire to see it thrive.

The NFL player said the East Texas town helped shape the 25-year-old into who he is today. "This is home," Overshown said. "I don't take where I come from for granted, or will I ever lose my roots. They allowed me to grow into the man I am here. Most of my family is from this area, so coming back and just shining my light back on the community that allowed me to spread my wings and fly, that's only right," he said.

The splash pad project joins a long list of community initiatives Overshown has supported in Arp. He regularly returns home for back-to-school supply giveaways, providing free backpacks and school supplies to local students. "I've been in a position where we were fighting at the last minute to get school supplies," he said. "Not saying that what we put in the backpacks is everything the kids are going to need through the year, but it's just something to help them start off, just to help the parents and the teachers."

Community Impact Beyond Sports

Local leaders praise Overshown's continued dedication to his hometown. "DeMarvion believes in this community and his community has always supported him," said Mayor Lowry. "If he can touch any of these younger athletes, these younger children, to want them to give back something to their community no matter where they live, that's the importance of it. He is an inspiration to a lot of kids that come in behind him. He shows you can make it yourself, but you have to be the one to push yourself, and that's the inspiration he has always shown."

The impact extends beyond financial contributions. "I just want to follow in his footsteps and make it to the NFL one day," said Arp resident and youth football player Jaxon Votaw. Young athletes in the community see Overshown as proof that dreams can become reality, regardless of where you start.

Overshown said when he returns to Arp, he gets energized. "I tell people all the time when I come down here, they rejuvenate me," he said. "They give me the energy to push through the long season. When things are not going well I can always lean back on my community."

Looking Forward

The splash pad groundbreaking represents just the beginning of Overshown's vision for Arp's future. As construction moves forward, the facility will provide a safe, fun environment for families while serving as a symbol of what can be accomplished when successful individuals invest in their communities. The project demonstrates how professional athletes can create lasting change beyond their playing careers, building infrastructure that will benefit generations of children.

For Overshown, the splash pad is more than a recreational facility—it's a testament to the power of remembering where you came from and giving back to those who helped you succeed. As he continues his NFL career, his hometown investments ensure that future Arp students will have the same opportunities to dream big that he once had.