ProRodeo Sports News -- May 24, 2024

honky tonk and joined them at the practice pen when he had free time. “After four or five years of little-to-no, if not zero, success, it made me realize that I didn’t need to be getting on bulls,” Simas admitted. It was not until Simas transitioned out of the Marines that he found his true calling in rodeo. Like many veterans, he was uncertain about his next steps after concluding his military service. He initially applied to the police force in Baltimore, thinking it would be a seamless career transition. Simas was awaiting an academy date when he attended a fateful Wednesday night jackpot to watch his bull rider friends. When the announcer fell ill, Simas was asked to step in, marking the beginning of his new journey. “So, I went and put on a CD and played some music and announced my friends that were getting on bulls,” Simas said. “I didn’t think much of it.” Within a few weeks, Simas was asked to announce the 2001 Pennsylvania High School Finals Rodeo. After this led to a few more gigs, Simas withdrew his name from the police academy and decided to give announcing a shot. “And as they say, the rest is history.” Simas sees parallels between the military and the rodeo community, such as the brotherhood and bonds in each. “Our industry (rodeo) is getting smaller every minute,” Simas said. “The Marine Corps, being the smallest branch of the military, is very small. But I could call any of my old former Marines, and they’d be there for me in a heartbeat. And I feel the same about the relationships I’ve created and formed within rodeo.” Simas is thankful to work in an industry that promotes patriotism and supports our military. “Western sports – thank God for it – is so patriotic,” he said. “You know, when all these other sports are allowing their athletes to stay in the locker

room for the national anthem, or they’re not praying before their event … The effort that rodeos go to, to thank, give back, recognize our service members is unmatched in professional sports today.” He described a touching memory from the Spanish Fork (Utah) Fiesta Days Rodeo when local Boy Scout troops and veteran organizations participated in a flag-burning ceremony during which unserviceable flags were properly retired and burnt in the arena. “The final one was a big ‘ole garrison flag,” Simas said. “When they carried it over the fire, it was just one of the most emotional things. “I could never see that happening at a Major League Baseball stadium in conjunction with an MLB game or an NFL football game … I think we’re the last sport that still recognizes every aspect not just from paying tribute to our troops, but the proper way to dispose of an American flag, and that resonated with me quite a bit.” Simas, who admits he wishes he did more for the military himself, regularly works with the Boot Campaign, which specializes in helping veterans with the injuries you can’t see. He encourages anyone who wishes to support veterans to give to the organization. “Actions speak louder than words. We talk a lot in our industry – obviously, being an announcer – but follow that talk with action,” Simas said. “A lot of us scream patriotism from our microphones during that two-hour performance of that rodeo, but do your actions when you leave there, do they match that?” Ninety-one cents of every dollar donated to the Boot Campaign goes directly to helping former service members. For those who would like to donate, please visit: https://bootcamapign.org/donate

Mike Rastelli photo

Simas serves as an announcer at the Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/24/2024

ProRodeo.com

43