Myrtis Dightman (born May 7, 1935) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who specialized in bull riding. He is a ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee. Known as the "Jackie Robinson of Rodeo", Dightman was the first African-American to compete at the National Finals Rodeo.

Early life

Dightman was born on May 7, 1935, on a 4,000-acre ranch in Houston County near Crockett, Texas. His father worked for rancher Karl Leediker.

Career

Dightman started his career in rodeo in Houston. In 1964, he became the first black cowboy to compete at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). He qualified for the NFR in 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, and 1972. In 1967, he had the best year-end finish of his career by placing third in the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) world standings. In 1971, he won Cheyenne Frontier Days. Dightman was hired to do stunts and play as himself in the rodeo movies J.W. Coop (1972) directed by Cliff Robertson, and Sam Peckinpah's Junior Bonner (1971). Dightman was a big influence on Charlie Sampson. In October 2006, a benefit concert featuring Michael Martin Murphey and Don Edwards was held to raise funds for a bronze statue in his honor. The statute was placed at the entrance of the Porth Ag Arena in Crockett, Texas. This rodeo arena hosts the annual Labor Day Rodeo that bears his name.

Honors