Myrtis Dightman

Myrtis Dightman (born 1935) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee. Known as the "Jackie Robinson of Rodeo", Dightman was the first African-American to compete at the National Finals Rodeo.[1]

Myrtis Dightman
Born (1935-05-07) May 7, 1935
Houston County, Texas, United States
Other names"Jackie Robinson of Rodeo"
OccupationBull rider
Known forRodeo
Spouse(s)Fannie Mae (div.)
Parent(s)Odie Dightman and Ada Lee Polk

Early life

Dightman was born in 1935 on a 4,000-acre ranch in Houston County near Crockett, Texas.[1] His father worked for rancher Karl Leediker.[1]

Career

Dightman started his career in rodeo in Houston.[1] In 1964, he became the first black cowboy to compete at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He qualified for the NFR in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1972.[2] In 1967, he had the best year-end finish of his career by placing third in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association[3] (PRCA) World Standings. In 1971, he won both the Calgary Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days.[2]

Dightman was hired to do stunts and play as himself in the rodeo movies J.W. Coop and Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner in 1971.[1][4]

Dightman 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, Texas. This rodeo arena hosts the annual Labor Day Rodeo that bears his name.[5][6][7]

Honors

References
  1. Wallace, Christian (July 2018). "The Jackie Robinson of Rodeo". Texas Monthly. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  2. "The Jackie Robinson of Rodeo". Texas Monthly. June 22, 2018. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  3. "ProRodeo - Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association". www.prorodeo.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  4. "J W Coop (1971) Full Cast & Crew". IMDB. IMDB. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. "Myrtis Dightman Hall of Fame Rodeo". Rodeo USA. Rodeo USA. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  6. Boney, Jeffrey (June 1, 2016). "Texan Myrtis Dightman, Sr. Inducted into Bull Riding Hall of Fame". Houston Forward Times. Houston Forward Times. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  7. Wallace, Christian. "On the Enduring Legacy of the Black Cowboy". Amtrak The National. Ink. Retrieved August 1, 2018.
  8. "Guy Weadick Award Winners". Calgary Stampede. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  9. "Rodeo Hall of Fame Inductees". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  10. "Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame: Past Inductees". www.texasrodeocowboy.com. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  11. "National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame - Dallas/Ft. Worth". www.cowboysofcolor.org. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  12. "Professional Bull Riders - Heroes & Legends: Myrtis Dightman". Professional Bull Riders. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
  13. "Myrtis Dightman". Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame | Fort Worth Texas. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  14. "Myrtis Dightman - Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame". Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  15. "The Bull Riding Hall of Fame Inductions 2016". The Bull Riding Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 18, 2017.

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