Bio
A prolific rodeo competitor in the mid-1900s, Brown made history in 1962 when he won the RCA bull riding world title at the age of 41, becoming the oldest athlete in the organization’s history to win a riding-event championship. Brown’s career was briefly paused when he traveled overseas to serve the United States military during World War II, first enlisting in the Army before being recruited to the CIA.
Despite suffering numerous critical injuries following his return to competition, including a brief period of paralysis in 1962 that required emergency surgery and a 34-day stint in traction, in addition to his world title, Brown won the National Finals Rodeo average in 1967. During the 1967 National Finals Rodeo, Brown delivered one of the most well-remembered moments in rodeo, becoming the first rider to cover the bull Tornado out of more than 200 who had previously attempted him.
