Myrtis Dightman


Myrtis Dightman is an American bull rider. He is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee. Known as the "Jackie Robinson of Rodeo", Dightman was the first African-American to compete at the National Finals Rodeo.

Early life

Dightman was born in 1935 on a 4,000-acre ranch in Houston County near Crockett, Texas. His father worked for rancher Karl Leediker.

Career

Dightman started his career in rodeo in Houston. In 1964, he became the first black cowboy to compete at the National Finals Rodeo. He qualified for the NFR in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1972. In 1967, he had the best year-end finish of his career by placing third in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings. In 1971, he won both the Calgary Stampede and Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Dightman was hired to do stunts and play as himself in the rodeo movies J.W. Coop and Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner in 1971.
Dightman was a big influence on Charles Sampson. In October 2006 a benefit concert featuring Michael Martin Murphey and Don Edwards was held to raise funds for a bronze statue in his honor. It was placed at the entrance of the Porth Ag Arena in Crockett, Texas. This rodeo arena hosts the annual Labor Day Rodeo that bears his name.

Honors