Myrtis Dightman
Encyclopedia
Myrtis Dightman is a Champion Afro-American Bull Rider from the 1960s and 70s. Born in 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. 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. In 1967 & 1968 he finished 3rd in the 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 2001 he was inducted ti the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
in Belton, TX. In 2003 he was inducted into the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
. Also in 2003 the PBR inducted him into the Ring of Honor. In October 2006 a benefit concert featuring Michael Martin Murphy, and Don Edwards, was held to raise funds for a bronze statue in his honor. It is to be placed in the downtown area of Crockett, TX, which also has an annual Rodeo that bears his name.
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
of modern American Rodeo. 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. In 1967 & 1968 he finished 3rd in the PRCA World Standings. In 1971 he won the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
. In 1972 he was hired to do stunts for the rodeo movie J.W. Coop. He was a big influence on Charles Sampson
Charles Sampson
Charles "Charlie" Sampson is the 1982 World Champion Bull Rider. He is the first Afro-American to win a World Title in the PRCA- Early life :...
. In 2001 he was inducted ti the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame
- History :Now housed in the Historic Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards. The organization, dedicated to the sport of rodeo and the recognition of Texas' contribution to that sport, the TRCHF was founded in 1975 by Johnny Boren and a group of Belton, Texas, businessmen...
in Belton, TX. In 2003 he was inducted into the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame
The National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, formerly the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame, is a museum and hall of fame in Fort Worth, Texas...
. Also in 2003 the PBR inducted him into the Ring of Honor. In October 2006 a benefit concert featuring Michael Martin Murphy, and Don Edwards, was held to raise funds for a bronze statue in his honor. It is to be placed in the downtown area of Crockett, TX, which also has an annual Rodeo that bears his name.