ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2022

TEAM ROPER

PRCA ProRodeo file photo by Mike Copeman

Bobby Harris Roping his way into Hall of Fame BY PATRICK EVERSON Special to the ProRodeo Sports News B obby Harris is a legend of rodeo lore. He reached the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in four different decades as a team roper, and qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping in three different get a direct phone call telling me, that was really nice, really an exciting thing. And that’s the way it should be.” In case you couldn’t tell, Harris isn’t a big fan of all the newfangled ways in which people communicate. He’s by no means old, turning 59 earlier this year. He just likes some things to stick with tradition, including that unexpected Hall of Fame call. And unexpected or not, the call was thoroughly decades.

“It was a total surprise. At that time of year, you always look for who made it – it’s coming out, see. But I wasn’t expecting it at all.” – BOBBY HARRIS and you’re waiting to

deserved. Harris qualified for 18 NFRs, first doing so in 1981, when it was still in Oklahoma City. He made his last NFR trek in 2010. Harris qualified every year from 1984-95, with the NFR moving to Las Vegas in 1985. It was in that 11 year stretch that he achieved his career peak, partnering with Tee Woolman to win the 1991 team roping world championship. “We’d been close to championships before that. We’d won the NFR average, set a record in the average, had a world-record fastest time,” Harris said. “But when you win it, you’re just really excited. A lot of people have won a lot, but never won a world championship. “So, it was fantastic. Kind of like getting that call for the Hall of Fame. This is awesome.”

But at his core, in his heart, Harris is a rodeo fan. So, each April, he always likes to check in and see who got voted into the latest class of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. He enjoys seeing his peers and his mentors bestowed with such a high honor. This year, though, something interesting happened. On that April day, Harris’ phone rang. “I received a phone call telling me I’d been elected into the Hall of Fame,” Harris said, noting several Hall of Fame committee members were on the line, including Ote Berry, Don Gay and Randy Corley. “It was a total surprise. At that time of year, you always look for who made it – it’s coming out, and you’re waiting to see. But I wasn’t expecting it at all. “How can you ask for anything better in this world we live in? They could’ve told me by text or email. Just to

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