Character pervades the Nationals Finals Rodeo from the contestants to the fans.

Records seem to be set each year when the 10-day rodeo takes over the Thomas & Mack Center, and not all of them on the arena's fabled 22-year-old dirt.

Whether it's folks holding open doors for others or saying "sir," "ma'am," "excuse me," "thank you," and "please," the rodeo community surely breaks the mark for courteous acts performed at a sporting event.

The rodeo might be the only place in society where manners and courtesy still are handed down through generations.

"There's no comparison because all the rodeo people are polite. They're one of a kind," said Mary Wilmore, a dealer at the Mirage and a veteran of working events at UNLV, including the NFR.

Wilmore also noted their behavior during the national anthem.

"There's no movement going on, and there's not a hat on a head," she said. "What other event do you see on TV or in person that every person takes their hat off?

"And you'd never know that a lot of them are well off (financially) because they don't show it by the way they act."

And some of those britches have plenty of jingle in the pockets.

• INJURY REPORT -- Steer wrestler Ronnie Fields has become the fourth NFR contestant, and first outside of bull riding, to be knocked out of the event by injury.

Fields, of Oklahoma City, suffered torn ligaments in his right knee Monday when his steer fell across his leg during his run.

Fields, 32, is scheduled to undergo an MRI exam today to determine if surgery is needed.

He was competing in his third NFR and was fourth in the world standings with $100,137.

Bull riders Matt Austin, Sonny Murphy and D.J. Domangue also are injured and unable to compete. Domangue had surgery Monday to repair a dislocated hip.

• VERY PINK -- Wrangler has announced it raised $1 million for breast cancer research with its yearlong Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign at rodeos, which culminated with Monday's event when all NFR contestants wore pink shirts.

• APPEARANCE -- In addition to a steady flow of rodeo stars appearing during the day at Cowboy Christmas, the 15 steer wrestlers competing in the NFR will sign autographs at Imperial Palace's Royal Halls Foyer from noon to 1 p.m. today.

• BUCKING SALE -- The 22nd annual Benny Binion's World Famous Bucking Horse and Bull Sale begins its two-day run at 9 a.m. today at the Thomas & Mack.

The event is named for the late Las Vegas casino pioneer, who is largely responsible for the NFR moving here from Oklahoma City in 1985.

• CHAMPS BRUNCH -- The South Point will host a brunch Sunday to recognize the PRCA world champions crowned the night before at the conclusion of the NFR's 10th and final go-round.

The event is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at the South Point.