PRORODEO Sports News, April 4, 2025

MANAGER’S MESSAGE

CHERISHING THE OPPORTUNITY TO COVER PRORODEO BY TRACY RENCK

S ometimes life can become chaotic and small things seem to have the utmost importance in the moment. For good reason. Things can get crazy for a variety reasons - someone’s health, financial status, relocation to a different state - the list goes on and on. This reminds me of a moment when I was a young sports writer working for The Town Talk newspaper in Alexan dria, La., when I got a lesson in perspective. I was sent on assignment to South Bend, Ind., to cover the 1996 College Football Hall of Fame Induction ceremony. The purpose of the trip was to write about 1996 inductee Gary Reasons. Reasons, a linebacker, was a three-time All-American at Northwestern State in Natchitoches, La. After college, Reasons went on to have an outstanding NFL career with the New York Giants (1984-1991) and Cincinnati Bengals (1992). He was a two-time Super Bowl champion (XXI, and XXV) with the Giants. Before Reasons’ induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in the summer of 1996, I had a lasting memory with fellow 1996 inductee - late, legendary Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears. In a swarm of media members, I pushed my way in front

Payton paused for moment and responded: “Sometimes you just have to stop and smell the roses, and this is one of those times.” So well said - and his answer has stuck with me to this day - which brings me to the world of rodeo. There’s no questioning rodeo is a pure slice of Americana. There are no contestants kneeling for the national anthem and faith is celebrated. Many rodeo moments have stuck in my head since 2013 when I began working at the PRCA. • Tie-down roper Shane Hanchey winning the 2013 PRCA World Championship and setting the average record at the National Finals Rodeo. • Having a front-row seat to write about Trevor Brazile, the King of Cowboys, winning PRCA Steer Roping World Championships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2020. • Watching bull rider Ky Hamilton capture his improba ble 2023 PRCA World Championship These are just a few lasting memories I have stored away with hundreds of others. However, for me, there’s nothing like getting ready for a rodeo to start and hearing the voice of ProRodeo Hall of

of the table where Pay ton was conducting an impromptu press con ference. I saw my chance and spoke up. I asked “Sweetness,” as he was known: “With everything you have accomplished, being con sidered one of the best running backs in NFL history and a Super Bowl winner, and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, what does being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame mean to you?”

Fame announcer Hadley Barrett sing “God Bless America Again.” Barrett passed away March 2, 2017, at the age of 87, and I had the honor of knowing this great man. Every time I heard him eloquently sing “God Bless America Again,” it makes me pause - just like Payton did with me nearly 30 years ago - to stop and smell the roses. And truly cherish what I have the opportunity to do in the world of rodeo in this great country - the United States of America.

PRCA photo by Bern Gregory of Hadley Barrett singing "God Bless America" at Kansas City Shrine Rodeo in 1985

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