ProRodeo Sports News - February 19, 2021

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

DeVere Helfrich photo HISTORIC FIGURE: Myrtis Dightman, seen here in 1964, became the first African American bull rider to compete at the NFR, filling in as a replacement for Carl Nafzger.

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know how something is going to work out until you try it for yourself.” Ignoring the warnings, Dightman not only became a PRCA competitor but made history in 1964 when he became the first African American to compete in the NFR. Dightman finished 17th in the regular- season standings that year but went to the NFR as a replacement for Carl Nafzger. In 1966, Dightman made history again when he became the first African American to qualify for the NFR. He finished eighth in the world standings. “I really wanted to be the first black bull rider to make it to the Finals,” Dightman said. “When I qualified for the Finals in 1966, I was on top of the world. It was unbelievable.” Unfortunately, Dightman’s performances weren’t always reflected in his scores because of his skin color, he said. “I probably didn’t get the scores I deserved a lot of times, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it,” he said. In 1967 and ’68, Dightman finished third and fourth in the standings, respectively, which reminded him of a conversation he had with the legendary Freckles Brown in 1968 after the NFR. “I remember asking Freckles, ‘What do I have to do to win the world?’” Dightman said. “He said, ‘Myrtis, you keep riding bulls like you’re riding and turn white.’ I knew right then I wouldn’t win a world championship because I was too early.”

I win my fair share, and we are definitely noticed in the ProRodeo world now. “I feel like if I work hard enough no one can stop me from getting a gold buckle.” FINDING THE PATH In the 1950s, Dightman’s friend James Francies was riding bulls and Dightman thought it would be a treat to travel down the road with Francies. Dightman first got his start on the PRCA trail as a rodeo clown and bullfighter, but it wasn’t long before he switched to riding bulls. Dightman said the transition was made easier after receiving help and advice from fellow African American bull riders. “I had guys like Freddie Gordon, WillieThomas and James Thomas who really helped me get started,” Dightman said. After learning the bull riding trade, Dightman was anxious to take the next step and compete in the PRCA. “I wanted to go out on the national circuit because a lot of guys said I couldn’t do it,” Dightman said. “I had guys telling me, ‘They aren’t going to let you go to the Finals. They aren’t going to let you win anything.’ “I told them, ‘How do you know? Have you ever tried?’ You never

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