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National Rodeo Hall of Fame
Inducted in 1993
James Bynum
EVENTS
Steer Wrestler, Champion, 1954, 1958, 1961, 1963
Born in 1924 at Danville, Alabama, James Bynum moved at age four to a Texas cotton farm with his family. At age 16 he entered his first rodeo, the Cowboy Reunion at Stamford, Texas, as a left-handed calf roper.
Left-handedness, coupled with size, gave Bynum an advantage over the competition. At six-feet-four-inches and 210 pounds, he soon turned to bulldogging. He exhibited his astounding physical ability in a world’s record throw of 2.4 seconds at Marietta, Oklahoma, in 1955–a steer-wrestling record that still stands. For more than a decade, “Big Jim” Bynum dominated the event, capturing the championship title four times in nine years.
James Bynum retired from active competition in 1969 due to a knee injury. He resided in Maypearl, Texas, until his death in 1999.
EVENTS
Steer Wrestler, Champion, 1954, 1958, 1961, 1963
Born in 1924 at Danville, Alabama, James Bynum moved at age four to a Texas cotton farm with his family. At age 16 he entered his first rodeo, the Cowboy Reunion at Stamford, Texas, as a left-handed calf roper.
Left-handedness, coupled with size, gave Bynum an advantage over the competition. At six-feet-four-inches and 210 pounds, he soon turned to bulldogging. He exhibited his astounding physical ability in a world’s record throw of 2.4 seconds at Marietta, Oklahoma, in 1955–a steer-wrestling record that still stands. For more than a decade, “Big Jim” Bynum dominated the event, capturing the championship title four times in nine years.
James Bynum retired from active competition in 1969 due to a knee injury. He resided in Maypearl, Texas, until his death in 1999.
