ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

TIME CAPSULE WILLIE NELSON Willie Nice Rodeo Team

BY MATT NABER W illie Nelson has been singing, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” and “Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” for decades, and in 1985 the Texas musician took his rodeo fandom to the next level by sponsoring a team on the PRCA’s ProTour Division. The Willie NelsonWranglers were formed on Aug. 14, 1985, and included Mel Coleman, Joe Talburt, ProTour Team during 1980s Country legend sponsored

PRCA ProRodeo cowboys,” Nelson said in the Sept. 4, 1985, edition of ProRodeo Sports News . “I’m very honored to be amongst the real cowboys and I do look forward to a long-lasting relationship.” The Tour also included fall rodeos in Lexington, Ky., Reno, Nev., Casper, Wyo., Wichita, Kan., and Spokane, Wash. Wrangler later had Nelson and his rodeo team as the central focus of its national advertising campaign. “It involves a great deal of commitment on both sides – personal, as well as professional,” said David Allen, director of special events for Wrangler Jeans, in that same edition of PSN . “He takes a lot of personal interest in whatever he’s involved with, and he’s very proud to become a part of the Willie NelsonWranglers, our Outfit on the Winston Tour Rodeo series. “There’s a lot of cowboy inWillie Nelson.” Willie Nelson sponsored one of 18 teams on the PRCA’s ProTour Division in the 1980s. The Willie Nelson Wran- glers were formed in August 1985.

Cody Snyder, JohnW. Jones Jr., Marlene Eddleman, Brad Smith and George Aros. The Tour was basically a blend of two of its successors. A handful of top-tier ProRodeo competitions were selected, like today’s ProRodeo Tour. But competitors were divided into 18 teams and each team had its own sponsor. The Willie NelsonWranglers made their debut at the Coors Challenge held in Austin, Texas, Sept. 5-8, 1985. The Coors Challenge was held in the Texas Expo and Heritage Center, as the opening of the six-city Tour. “I’m extremely proud to be associated with a company such as Wrangler and the

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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