ProRodeo Sports News - May 12, 2023

Others share their thoughts on Mahan

Shawn Davis , ProRodeo Hall of Famer and PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion, 1965, 1967-68 “I think I became friends with Larry in 1962 or 1963 when he first started rodeoing. That was a time when they were changing the outlook on the sport to be more like a sport than a weekend sport. Larry was always observant. He was always trying to better himself and he watched the things that made the sport and where he could better himself and he did very well at it. “He had a world of ability, but he also was intense. He dedicated himself, whatever it was into being outstanding. He had guts and determination, and he was a smart guy. He wasn’t afraid (to step outside the box) or create a new box. The thing about Mahan, even though he had self-confidence, he had a way about him. He didn’t ever give anybody, including his fan base, or his sponsors, the feeling that he was superior. I don’t think he ever went away from a sponsor without thanking them. He was also dedicated to the press. He would hitchhike if he had to, to make an appearance.” Sid Steiner , 2002 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion “I got to know Larry quite a bit

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Larry Mahan, center, shares a light moment with Shawn Davis, right, and Don Flanigan while traveling down the rodeo trail.

Namath. He talked to people, and he was the center of attention. He had the fur hats and this and that, but he was always in a good mood and pleasant to be around. “We talked off and on over the years and he seemed to always draw people to him. He had a really good personality, and I don’t think I ever saw him upset. He had a different personality, and it was great. Not only did he have great ability, but he was a great person.” When told that Larry Mahan always told Bob Tallman that Lyne was the best cowboy of all time it resonated with Lyne. “Boy, that is a great compliment to me, and coming from Larry that is a really great compliment.” Roy Cooper , ProRodeo Hall of Famer and eight-time PRCA World Champion “Larry Mahan was the first rock star in rodeo. He was the ambassador of the sport of ProRodeo. He was one of the first cowboys to handle rodeo as a business. All I heard about as a kid was Larry Mahan, Larry Mahan. I didn’t meet him until years later and then we became really good friends. He had grit. He was an Oregon boy, where he grew up and he did what he had to in order to be the best. He did it all.” Joe Alexander, ProRodeo Hall of Famer and five-time PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion about Mahan in a 1982 interview with the Associated Press “He was the best thing to ever happen in rodeoing.”

after Rocker (Steiner, Sid’s son) started riding bareback horses because he was pretty influential as far as that goes. If you’re a cowboy, Larry Mahan has be to one of your heroes, that goes without saying. He took an interest in Rocker and really wanted to be a part of him getting started and he was such a positive guy when Rocker started riding bareback horses. It was a really neat thing to have somebody on his level take an interest in Rocker. Larry liked Rocker’s long hair and free spirit and Larry was a free spirit. I think a lot of people equate free spirit with non-competitiveness and that’s absolutely not true. You look at the Larry Mahans of this world and the Pat Tillmans of this world, there are free spirits out there who are uber competitive. I think my dad (Bobby) and myself and Rocker are kind of that same way. We are kind of free spirits, and you recognize one of those when you see one. I think that is one of the things that drew Larry to Rocker. People like Larry Mahan are one of a kind. It is like waiting for another Elvis to show up. Mahan will live on through Rocker’s spurs. The spurs Rocker rides with and always has ridden with were given to Ty Murray by Larry Mahan and Ty gave them to Rocker. They started with Mahan and will be riding for years to come. We like to think there’s magic in those spurs.” Phil Lyne , ProRodeo Hall of Famer and a five-time PRCA World Champion – all-around 1971-72, tie-down roping 1971-72; steer roping 1990 “I knew Larry from about 1969. We were competitive but we got along good. Larry in a way was like (Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback) Joe

ProRodeo Sports News 5/12/2023

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