Heroes & Legends: Myrtis Dightman
Forty years from his Calgary win, a trailblazing black cowboy still inspires
Forty years ago, Myrtis Dightman won the Calgary Stampede.
He remembers Calgary as a wonderful place - not just because hehad never been there, but because of the warm reception hereceived.
Dightman, a black man, wasn't always welcome when he came toride bulls.
The 76-year-old has been described as the Jackie Robinson ofprofessional bull riding. He was the first African-American toqualify for the National Finals Rodeo, and in 2003, was inductedinto the PBR Ring of Honor.
"I just couldn't believe it," he said of his Calgary experience."If I needed anything, they would help me. People in Calgary arereal nice people. They would take me in and let me stay with them.The guys that were living up there would take me over to theirhouse and let me stay right with them."
That hospitality was in stark contrast to most other rodeos.
Despite his incredible talent, Dightman was often made to rideafter the events were over and the crowds had left.
"It wasn't always easy," he said. "It wasn't the rodeo people.It was the stock contractors." Some bull men weren't thrilled atthe idea of a black man covering their prized stock.
Nine-time World Champion Ty Murray said that because of theprejudice he encountered, Dightman probably only won a third ofwhat he was due.
Quite often, when the draw was announced, Dightman would bematched up with bulls that had never been ridden. Only years laterdid he learn that those draws had been fixed.
"I didn't know. I thought that's the way it was drawn up," heexplained, before laughing. "It didn't make a difference. I wonanyhow."
Dightman, like his late father O.D., grew up working cattle on aranch outside his hometown of Crockett, Texas.
The family never owned a ranch of their own. His father was ahired laborer, and taught his son what it meant to earn his keep.The younger Dightman was rewarded with the opportunity to take partin trail rides.
Later on, he started working as a bullfighter before deciding ona bull riding career.
He faced the racism with his chin held high. It wasn't that hewas particularly tolerant, but he was determined to win overdoubters and detractors by proving he had the same characteristicsas any other American cowboy.
He remembers receiving a call once from a rodeo secretary,asking if he had encountered any problems.
Surprised by inquiry, he replied, "No ma'am."
He was confused when she asked about when he rode, and if anyoneelse rode with him after the events had concluded.
"After that, if they held me back, they had to hold three whiteguys back," he said. "That's what broke it."
Ty Murray and former NFL great Walt Garrison, both of whom havebefriended Dightman and his family, are saddened by the storiesthey've heard about Dightman's challenges, and have worked to seethat the he is recognized for his accomplishments.
"In every account that I've ever been told, Myrtis always gothosed just because he was a black guy," Murray said.
Despite the obstacles, Dightman twice finished third in the PRCAworld standings, and in addition to the Calgary Stampede, he alsowon Cheyenne Frontier Days.
But according to Dightman, his finest hour as a professionalbull rider came long after he finished his career.
In 2003, Murray contacted Dightman's son with news that the PBRplanned to induct his father into the Ring of Honor. But as far asMyrtis knew, they had merely invited him out to Las Vegas for anevent.
"I said, 'OK,'" he explained. "I wondered where he got the moneyfrom, and Ty Murray still never told me anything. They just said,'Come on, let's go to the Finals.' They kept me in the dark."
That night, Dightman listened to Murray address the crowd. Hetalked about a great bull rider who had never gotten what hedeserved.
"I was looking around and thinking, 'Who is he talking about?'"Dightman said. "Then he said, 'Myrtis Dightman.' I could havecried.
"I put that ring on and I never did take it off."
Two months ago, the much-loved Dightman was honored with abronze statue in his hometown - a project that was spearheaded byGarrison. It was an event that, according to Dightman, tonguefirmly planted in cheek, "even the white people enjoyed."
"It's nice to see Myrtis get the recognition," Murray said.
To acknowledge the 40-year anniversary of his win in Calgary,Dightman had hoped to visit the event for the first time since.
But his mother Ada Lee Polk, 95, is in a nursing home, and hisolder sister Early Mae, 79, passed away on Wednesday.
"I just hate that I couldn't make it this year," said Dightman."I would have gone to Calgary this year, but the good Lord gave mesomething else to do.
"You know, He's kind of in charge of everything."
- by Keith Ryan Cartwright