This week, FanHouse headed out to Las Vegas for a little rodeo fun at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Some cowboys taught us how to rope a steer (well, a fake steer), how to ride a real, live bull (except, the bull was mechanical) and how the rodeo really works. The videos of this experience will be up soon, but for now, we'll keep you updated on the real action.Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Michael Phelps and ... Trevor Brazile? Who?!?!!
That is exactly what we thought when we headed out to Las Vegas, but after a roping clinic that Brazile gave us, we realized he might be rodeo's dominant force.
Brazile, a year removed from winning the sport's first Triple Crown (all-around roping, tie-down roping and steer roping) in 24 years, claimed his sixth all-around title this week at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
So what does that sixth title really mean? Well, the most ever is seven, which were won by a guy named Ty Murray, whom you might know as Jewel's husband. Murray's also the longtime friend of Lane Frost, the cowboy that died in the ring and was the central story of the movie 8 Seconds.
Brazile, just 32, is already one of the more famous cowboys around. He won 25 titles this season before Vegas and has become so successful he's even buddies with MMA star Randy Couture. But stardom aside, he was still humbled by the feat:
"I really didn't know," said a surprised Brazile, who now has nine career world titles, upon learning about his all-around title. "I had cinched one before the NFR was over in the past, and it's an awesome feeling. It's awesome. You've got Ty Murray, Larry Mahan and Tom Ferguson, (in this group) and that says enough right there. It's not the championships, it's the guys who've been there who make them special. That's an awesome, awesome deal."After meeting this man, you can't help but stand up and cheer for him. A true cowboy in every sense of the word, Brazile took time out of his busy schedule to help Wrangler and FanHouse attempt to rope, even playing a game of P-I-G against me (roping, not hoops) and, shockingly, killing me (video to come).
More coverage is sure to come over the next week, so check in to see our experience with the cowboys.
