TOUGH ENOUGH TO WEAR PINK

Before 2004, the only time you’d see a rodeo cowboy wear a pink, western shirt would be if he had washed a white one with a red one.
       
Former world champion roper Joe Beaver helped change that when he became an instrumental factor in creating “Tough Enough to Wear Pink,” when National Finals Rodeo contestants wore pink shirts one night of the Finals for help with breast cancer awareness.
       
The program, sponsored by Wrangler, has grown to a fundraising effort throughout the country that raised $210,000 this year.

FAMILY TIME
       
Most rodeo athletes spend the regular season on the road traveling alone or with a couple of fellow competitors.
       
The NFR is more special for some. For them, the chance of winning a lot of money and world championships is the priority, but close behind is spending quality time with their families.
       
Reigning bareback world champion Bobby Mote is enjoying each of those elements.
       
The affable cowboy from Culver, Ore., who has a handshake that can crack walnuts, took over the lead in the world standings Wednesday after matching the NFR record for the second time this week.
       
And no one has gotten a bigger kick out of his two appearances — third counting Wednesday night's — at the South Point when he was presented with his gold belt buckles than his youngest son, Trey, 3.
       
“Trey has been enjoying himself on the stage at the South Point,” Mote wrote in a recent blog. “He has become the star attraction. (Monday) night, he was giving high fives left and right and just having a ball on the stage. He thinks it’s just one big playground and loves being the center of attention.”
       
The shindigs are passe for the other children of Bobby and Kate. Laura, 5, and Charlie, 7, remember being there last year and know the “big” celebration after Saturday night’s last go-round could lie ahead.
       
Charlie and his dad are best buddies, and dad couldn’t be prouder that his oldest won his first wrestling tournament just before they left for Las Vegas.

RODEO HEROES
       
I don’t consider athletes of any sport to be heroes unless they run into a burning building to save someone’s life or do something else to put their lives on the line to save another human.
       
Athletes can be role models.
       
In rodeo, the heroes are a group led by Dr. Tandy Freeman. They are the doctors and athletic trainers who join with Freeman to form the Justin Sportsmedicine Team.
       
Freeman is a noted orthopedic surgeon in Dallas who is working his 14th consecutive 10-day NFR. He treats rodeo athletes like family and certainly doesn’t charge for all of his services.
       
“I’ve known Tandy for a long time but never had to deal with him that much,” said Fred Whitfield, who had two surgeries performed by Freeman in January 2007.
       
“But he really took care of me. He’d call me at least once a week after the surgeries to see how I was doing. He’s a great friend to all of us out here.”
       
Freeman’s commitment doesn’t stop there.
       
Noted bullfighter Jimmy Anderson had asked Freeman to be one of his pallbearers whenever he died. Anderson, 55, died Sunday of congestive heart failure.
       
His funeral was Tuesday in Stephenville, Texas, so Freeman rented a jet to fly him and world champion bull rider Tuff Hedeman to the funeral and was back at the Thomas & Mack in time for Tuesday’s performance.
       
To Freeman, rodeo folks are part of his family.
       
TEAM ROPING AT SOUTH POINT
       
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is well represented at the World Series of Team Roping at the South Point Equestrian and Events Center.
           
The roping started Wednesday and continues through the Grand Finale on Saturday. Among the contestants are former all-around champions Larry Mahan, Lewis Feild and Joe Beaver. Also on the list is John W. Jones, who won three titles in steer wrestling. Bull riding champs Tuff Hedeman and Mike White round out the list.
           
Mickey Young won the NFR championship in 1978 in bareback riding. His son Josi has been competing at this year’s NFR in bareback riding, but is taking a break from the action because of injuries.
           
Rod Lyman is pulling double duty. The former NFR qualifier in steer wrestling is hazing at the 50th annual NFR for Les Shepperson. Lyman is also competing in team roping.
       
There are three divisions of roping, and the top 15 in each division will advance to Saturday’s Grand Finale. Tickets for the Grand Finale are available at the South Point box office and are $15.
       
The Charmayne James Invitational Barrel Race, Rob Smets Freestyle Bullfight and World Series of Mounted Shooting also will be featured.