ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

CATCHING UP WITH ... JOHN THOMSON JR.

Fred Nyulassy photo After winning the first National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 1987, steer wrestler John Thomson Jr. came close to qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo in 1988 and 1989. Above, Thomson competes in Livermore, Calif., before being sidelined with a dislocated shoulder.

Winning the First

Thomson won steer wrestling at first National Circuit Finals Rodeo BY MATT NABER S teer wrestler JohnThomson Jr. didn’t realize the magnitude of his accomplishment when he won the first Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 1987. The 1987 Dodge NCFR had 30,000 spectators in the Idaho State University Minidome in Pocatello, March 18-21, 1987. It paid $100,000 that did not count toward the world standings. In the final round, Thomson’s 4.0-second run was nearly beaten when Rob Juker got his steer down in less than three seconds. But Juker didn’t completely turn the steer until the clock hit 4.4 seconds, according to the April 1, 1987, edition of ProRodeo Sports News. “I don’t know that I took it all in at the time,” Thomson said. “I was about 26 years old, so

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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