ProRodeo Sports News - April 6, 2018

Walt Garrison competed in ProRodeo and played fullback (32) for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960s and ’70s before getting into fundraiser rodeos for multiple sclerosis. Over a 20- year period, his rodeos raised $4 million for multiple sclerosis. PRCA ProRodeo file photo

NFL and ProRodeo star raised money for MS BY MATT NABER N FL, PRCA, MS and BBQ –Walt Garrison’s career was anything but abbreviated, as the Texan was two types of cowboy, with the Dallas Cowboys and as a ProRodeo competitor. He went on to combine his stardom with rodeo to raise more than $4 million for multiple sclerosis foundations with his Walt Garrison All Star Rodeos over 20 years. Now 73, he’s enjoying retirement in true Texas fashion – on his ranch with his name on a variety of barbecue sauces, steak rubs and salsas. Walt Garrison

TWOTYPES OF COWBOY Garrison competed in roughstock throughout high school and college, then switched to steer wrestling once he surpassed 180 pounds. “There aren’t many big bull riders,” Garrison said. In 1966, he was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft (79th overall) out of Oklahoma State to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Part of his signing bonus with the Cowboys included a horse trailer and a new car. Meanwhile, Garrison continued to rodeo until Cowboys coach Tom Landry caught wind of it. Landry put an end to Garrison competing in rodeo during football season, but that didn’t stop Garrison from competing during the offseason. “You could do anything the Cowboys let you do in the offseason, they still controlled you in the offseason and you still worked out in the offseason,” Garrison laughed. “I thought they (football and rodeo) worked together, you have to be agile and move your feet, and your upper body has to be pretty strong.” A knee injury during an exhibition steer wrestling at the 1974 College National

Photo courtesy Walt Garrison Foods

ProRodeo Sports News 4/6/18

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