PRORODEO Sports News - July 11, 2025
SHORT ROUND
SHAD MAYFIELD PLEDGING PORTION OF COWBOY CHRISTMAS EARNINGS TO SUPPORT TEXAS FLOOD VICTIMS By Zach Alvira
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ews of the devastating floods in central Texas became per sonal for 2024 PRCA All-Around World Champion Shad Mayfield. The Texas native learned over the last few days of personal con nections to his family who were impacted by the deadly floods. In total, more than 90 people have passed away as a result. Several remain missing. Mayfield took to social media Monday to announce he would be donating 10% of his Cowboy Christmas earnings to those affect ed by the floods. In total, he has donated almost $4,000. Now he hopes others will get on board, too. “I figured anything would be good to help, whether it’s $5 or $5,000,” Mayfield said. “It all goes to a great cause. I thought it would be nice to donate some of my earnings from Cowboy Christ mas but also get everybody else in the rodeo industry started and be able to donate something here and there.”
The flooding began early Friday morning with little to no warning for residents in towns near the Guadalupe River. Within two hours, the water surged to higher than 30-feet. Hunt, Texas, and Kerrville, Texas, two communities Northwest of San Antonio, were impacted the most. In Hunt, Camp Mystic, a private Christian girls’ summer camp, was devastated by the flood water. Twenty-seven campers were re ported missing when the water hit. On Monday, the camp declared all 27 girls had passed. Mayfield’s mom was a counselor in college at the Heart of Hills girls’ camp, another summer camp near Mystic. A counselor his mother learned from was one of the vic tims. “I know a lot of people that have had friends and family that have had tragedies happen (in the floods),” Mayfield said. “It’s hard seeing all of that happen. I just hear my family say they know someone that drowned. It’s just such a tragedy what’s happening.
I’m doing whatever I can to try and help.” Mayfield’s passion for the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, as well as his love for his home state, made him want to act quickly. As one of the most popular cow boys in PRORODEO, he knew his status had potential to help raise awareness for just how dire the sit uation is in Texas. Within minutes his post on Instagram announcing his pledge received well over 1,000 likes and many comments. Mayfield also included links to trusted relief organizations. He has yet to speak with other PRORO DEO athletes about how they can get involved. But he’s confident he won’t be the only one stepping up to help support central Texans in a time of extreme need. “A lot of us rodeo people are from Texas, so we are familiar with that area,” Mayfield said “Maybe me getting this started will create a chain of every other rodeo person wanting to donate. That can make a big impact.”
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