Fast forward to 2016. On our way to the PBR’s Last Cowboy Standing and The American at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, a traveling companion and I made a detour to Hugo, Oklahoma, to pay our respects at the resting places of both Lane Frost and Freckles Brown—two legends whose names still echo through the rodeo world.
You see, Lane’s story is personal to me. I’ve seen every film, every interview, every documentary I could get my hands on. I’ve studied his instructional videos. I’ve watched Bull Talk and heard his voice share the techniques and mindset that made him great. I’ve seen “A Mother’s Story” told by Elsie Frost, and I’ve watched “The Challenge of Champions,” which chronicles one of the most iconic rivalries in the history of rodeo.
Lane was the 1987 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, and Red Rock was the 1987 PRCA World Champion Bucking Bull. In 1988, stock contractor John Growney—who owned Red Rock—put together the Challenge of Champions, a seven-match series between the two reigning world champions on each side of the bull rope. Until that point, Red Rock had been attempted 309 times without ever being ridden for a full eight seconds in any professional competition.
That all changed on May 20, 1988, in Redding, California, where Lane Frost finally conquered Red Rock in the first event of the Challenge of Champions. He would go on to ride Red Rock successfully in four of the seven matchups. The Challenge of Champions was more than entertainment—it was history in the making, and Lane added yet another jewel to his crown.
I don’t need to describe my excitement in learning that a new documentary, “LANE: Life Legend Legacy” is available for fans to stream.
In short, this film, in my view, is the best documentary that I’ve personally ever seen on Lane Frost.
It’s also one of the finest pieces of storytelling I’ve ever seen in the Western sports industry. Featuring modern bull riding stars like Sage Kimzey, Josh Frost, and two-time PBR World Champion J.B. Mauney, as well as country music superstar Cody Johnson—himself a former bull rider—the film bridges generations beautifully.
It was moving to hear incredible stories I’d never heard before, and to meet new faces through the screen who were impacted by Lane’s life and legacy. The documentary also shows the men who influenced Lane: his father, Clyde Frost; his mentor, Freckles Brown; and even Donnie Gay, the only eight-time world champion bull rider in the history of bull riding to date, who shared a touching memory of a 10-year-old Lane telling him he wanted to grow up to be just like him. Years later, Donnie would say he wished he could be more like Lane.
We hear from Wes Ward, who traveled with Lane early on and maybe even competed alongside him professionally. It was great to meet Lane’s brother-in-law for the first time and to see Kellie on screen for the first time as well. Hearing about how their relationship began as friends, endured the ups and downs of marriage, and how God drew them closer together before Lane’s death was incredibly moving.
As I sat and watched, one thought kept coming to mind: Every professional athlete in every sport should learn about Lane Frost. He set the standard not just in performance, but in character. Lane understood that if people didn’t buy a ticket, he couldn’t make a living. He treated fans with kindness, respect, and always greeted them with a smile—no matter how tired or beat up he might’ve been.
That’s one of the biggest takeaways from this documentary: to always be kind, always be respectful, and never forget where you came from.
It’s safe to say that legends like Jim Sharp, Tuff Hedeman, Clint Branger, Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, and others recognized—at least somewhere in the back of their minds—that bull riding could eventually stand alone as its own sport. Would the PBR still have happened without Lane Frost? Oh yeah, most likely. But would it have had the heart, humility, and approachability we see in our athletes today? That’s hard to say—and thankfully, we don’t have to.
There were a lot of things I didn’t know about Lane until watching this film—for example, that he was dyslexic and couldn’t spell well. I did know that Kellie had a miscarriage, but it’s something that hasn’t been talked about much outside of maybe “A Mother’s Story.” This documentary doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—and that’s one of its many strengths.
Hearing from people like Kendra Santos as she recalled that tragic day—July 30, 1989—was heartbreaking. We also hear from Dr. Skip Ross and others who were working in the arena that fateful day in Cheyenne. One of the most difficult moments in the film is when Tuff describes having to tell Lane’s mother that her son had passed… and then having to tell Kellie that she’d lost her husband. The pain in his voice still cuts deep, all these years later.
I also loved how the film transitioned between the original Bull Talk footage and interviews from today—showing how Lane’s kindness and riding style still inspire the likes of J.B. Mauney and Cassio Dias, who wore the chaps of his idol, Lane Frost, during his 2024 Championship run, and others.
The arena where the famous Bull Talk instructional video was filmed still stands today and was Lane’s personal practice pen. The next generation of Frosts have continued Lane’s love of bull riding and his passion for helping others learn the fundamentals needed to succeed as professional riders.
His cousins Joe and Josh Frost—who are brothers and both National Finals Rodeo qualifiers—are now carrying the torch. Lane is no longer the only world champion in the Frost family. Josh is the reigning 2024 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider and will compete as a key rider for Oklahoma Wildcatters in the 2025 PBR Teams league. The Frost Legacy Bull Riding Schools are offered online and occasionally in person, preserving Lane’s legacy through education and mentorship.
One thing I wish this documentary had included—because it was such a remarkable and often overlooked moment—is the fact that Lane, along with Tuff Hedeman and others, participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. To my knowledge, it’s the only time rodeo has ever been featured in any form at the Olympics. It was a major step forward in showcasing our sport to the world, and of course, Lane was right in the middle of it.
This July will mark 36 years since Lane’s passing in Cheyenne, but his name still echoes far beyond the chutes. Even people who don’t follow rodeo know who Lane Frost is.
Yes, Hollywood and “8 Seconds” played a big role in that—but for those who want to dig deeper, to hear the real stories from the people who lived them, this documentary is the way to do it.
Whether you’re a diehard fan or someone who just stumbled across “8 Seconds” for the first time, this film belongs on your watchlist. It’s not just a documentary—it’s a living tribute. It’s something you’ll want to revisit again and again.
One thing the Frost family is most proud of is the fact that Lane accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior about a year prior to his death.
After “8 Seconds” came out, the Frost family was overwhelmed with phone calls and messages from people saying the film made them rethink their relationship with someone—whether it was a father, a mother, a sibling, or a friend. The impact was so strong that a church reached out to the family asking permission to produce a Bible with Lane’s picture on the front. They’d call it a “Cowboy Bible.”
Though it’s officially a Living New Testament, the message remains timeless. Lane wasn’t perfect – no one is – and the Frosts want people to understand that while his photo is on the cover it is not to glorify him, but to offer something meaningful. It’s for folks who might never pick up a Bible until they see Lane’s face and feel inspired to read it.
Learn more about Lane Frost and request a free Cowboy Bible at lanefrost.com, where you’ll also find official apparel, cologne, and more.
To rent the documentary (48 hours, $14.95) click HERE.