Myrtis Dightman

Myrtis Dightman is a Champion Afro-American Bull Rider from the 1960s and 70s. Born in May 7, 1935 in Crockett, TX, Myrtis was a successful rodeo bull rider during the 1960s & 1970s. He is considered to be the Jackie Robinson of modern American Rodeo. In 2016, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

Career

Myrtis started his career as a bull fighter then soon switched to riding bulls. He was the first black cowboy to compete at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). In 1967 & 1968 he finished 3rd in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association[1] (PRCA) World Standings. In 1971 he won the Calgary Stampede. In 1972 he was hired to do stunts for the rodeo movie J.W. Coop. He was a big influence on Charles Sampson. In October 2006 a benefit concert featuring Michael Martin Murphey, and Don Edwards, was held to raise funds for a bronze statue in his honor. It was placed at the entrance of the Porth Ag Arena in Crockett, TX. This rodeo arena hosts the annual Labor Day Rodeo that bears his name.

Honors

References

  1. ↑ "ProRodeo - Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association". www.prorodeo.com. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame: Past Inductees". www.texasrodeocowboy.com. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame - Dallas/Ft. Worth". www.cowboysofcolor.org. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "Professional Bull Riders - Heroes & Legends: Myrtis Dightman". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  6. ↑ "Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame | Fort Worth Texas". texascowboyhalloffame.org. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "Myrtis Dightman - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "The Bull Riding Hall of Fame Inductions 2016". The Bull Riding Hall of Fame. Retrieved 18 January 2017.


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