ProRodeo Sports News - April 26, 2024

TIME CAPSULE GEORGE PAUL An Amazing Streak

George Paul had 79 consecutive qualified bull rides BY PRCA STAFF A t age 21, in just his second year in the PRCA, George Paul was the 1968 bull riding world champion and owner of an amazing record streak of 79 consecutive qualified bull rides. Two years later, he tragically died in a plane crash. Paul’s meteoric rise was recognized in 1979 when he was among the inaugural class inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Paul packed a lot of living into his 23 years: he was a pilot, a friend of legendary singer Tom Jones, and heir to a million-acre ranch that he helped work. He attended the rodeo school of ProRodeo Hall of Famer Jim Shoulders and, in 1966, he won American Junior Rodeo Association world championships in bull riding, bareback riding and all-around. He joined the PRCA the next season and was second in the bull riding average at the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City. A year later, he won the bull riding average and was world champ. Paul was extremely athletic but also dedicated to fitness; he was known as one of the strongest bull riders ever. Bobby Paul, two years older than George, honors his brother by producing the George Paul Memorial Bull Riding. The 46th annual event was held April 26-27 in Del Rio, Texas, just 36 miles across the border from the family’s ranch in Mexico. It was at the ranch in 1970 when Tom Jones gave Paul a watch presented to him by England’s Queen Elizabeth II. Paul responded by giving Jones his world championship gold buckle; Jones wore it prominently while performing and on the cover of his album, She’s a Lady . Paul was an avid flyer and owned a Twin Beechcraft. He won the bull riding and bareback riding in Monte Vista, Colo., on June 30, 1970, flew to Casper, Wyo., and competed that night, then was flying home when his plane crashed near Kemmerer, Wyo.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo George Paul, the 1968 bull riding world champion, poses for a photo with legendary singer Tom Jones. Bobby Paul, George’s older brother, honors his brother by producing the annual George Paul Memorial Bull Riding in Del Rio, Texas.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/26/2024

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