Myrtis Dightman

2003 Myrtis Dightman It’s hard to imagine that there was a time when skin color determined if a cowboy could enter an event. But Dightman persevered, and in 1957 got his PRCA card. He qualified for the NFR in 1964, and finished third at the event in 1968. He won both Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Calgary Stampede. Dightman, described as the Jackie Robinson of professional bull riding. He was the first African-American to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, and in 2003, was inducted into 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 are real 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 their house and let me stay right with them.” He faced the racism with his chin held high. It wasn’t that he was particularly tolerant, but he was determined to win over doubters and detractors by proving he had the same characteristics as any other American cowboy.