ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

I probably thought it was just another rodeo at the time and didn’t know it would become so big. I took it for granted a bit and didn’t understand the accomplishment that it was.” ROLLING WITH BIG DOGS Thomson fell into steer wrestling thanks to growing up five miles from 1970World Champion Steer Wrestler and 1979 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee JohnW. Jones Sr. “I knew a lot of world champions, so I wasn’t a complete stranger,” Thomson said. Thomson was the reserve champion at the 1980 National High School Finals Rodeo behind Ote Berry, a future Hall of Famer. Then it was off to the pros. Thomson spent a summer traveling with steer wrestler Rod Lyman, who finished with 16 NFR qualifications. Lyman won 17 rounds at the NFR in steer wrestling, trailing only Luke Branquinho (25), Berry (20) and Roy Duvall (19). “John was a great

“He’s done well,” Lyman said. “I think it’s pretty cool and shows how diverse rodeo people are. I think sometimes we get stereotyped that when they’re done rodeoing they’re out on a sheep ranch somewhere inWyoming. People don’t know the diversity of cowboys and how successful they can be.” Although he isn’t involved with the Cal Poly rodeo team, he’s friends with the coach, Ben Londo, and knows some teammembers. Thomson has two adult daughters, Nikki and Taylor, and he and his wife, Kathi, became grandparents six months ago when Nikki and her husband, Joe Clarot, had a son, Kade. Thomson runs about 70 head of cattle with plans to expand to 100. “That’s my retirement plan, I’ll be chasing cattle,” Thomson said. WhenThomson looks back at that first Dodge NCFR, he smiles. “I wish it paid what it does today,” Thomson laughed. “It was a really good time.”

“I was about 26 years old, so I probably thought it was just another rodeo at the time and didn’t know it would become so big. I took it for granted a bit and didn’t understand the accomplishment that it was.” – JOHN THOMSON

competitor and an athletic and strong guy, and he had good form,” Lyman said. “JohnW. Jones Sr. helped him quite a bit, so he had a good background there. He had a good work ethic and everyone liked him. And he was sure built right for being a steer wrestler (6-2, 225 pounds).” Lyman was also instrumental in the NCFR’s early years and served as Chairman of the Board for the PRCA in 1993-96. “We really worked to build that thing,” Lyman said. “The Pocatello committee was one of the most amazing committees to work with. They picked up the ball and embraced it, and that’s why it has

become what it has become.” Thomson’s ProRodeo career spanned from 1981-90 and earned him $114,389. But for Thomson it was worth more than the money. “The thing I took away from rodeo was there were a lot of really good people in it, and I had some really great times,” Thomson said. GOOD AS GOLD “I rodeoed for a few more years and missed the Finals in 1988 by like $100,” saidThomson, 58. “Then in 1989, I was in the top 20 but got hurt. I dislocated my shoulder and just couldn’t get it right.” The Morro Bay, Calif., cowboy ran his last steer in 1992. “My mind misses it, but my body doesn’t,” Thomson laughed. “My thing was I really liked being at the rodeos, but I hated traveling. If they had some way to teleport me, I’d have done it until I couldn’t walk.” Thomson oversees construction projects for Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., as their project manager.

Photo courtesy John Thomson John Thomson Jr. raises cattle in Morro Bay, Calif., while working as the project manager for Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

ProRodeo.com

45