Charles Sampson (bull rider)

Charles "Charlie" Sampson (born July 2, 1957) is the 1982 World Champion bull rider.[1] He is the first black cowboy to win a World Title in the PRCA.

Biography

Early life

Sampson was born in Los Angeles on July 2, 1957. To avoid the violence that surrounded him as a boy, he took a job at a riding stables near Gardena, CA. There he sparked an interest in horses and rodeo. He was a fan of the Jackie Robinson of rodeo Myrtis Dightman.

Career

Sampson stands 5ft 4in tall. He was a ground breaking rodeo cowboy. He was the first Afro-American to win a world title in the PRCA.[2] In 1983, there were only six black members of the PRCA. Sampson was competing on a national level. Sampson very rarely mentioned race as an issue, even though he was competing in a sport dominated by white competitors. Sampson once said in the New York Times, "I haven't encountered discrimination as much as ignorance. Some people still don't realize that something like a quarter of all the cowboys back in the old West were black."[3] Although downplaying the race issue in his own career, Sampson has admitted that he saw the bull riding as a way to "ride" out of the ghetto. He also has spoken often to minority youngsters in inner city schools, telling them that positive thinking, goal setting, and hard work can help them achieve success in their lives. He always had the respect of his fellow World Champion bull riders including, Don Gay, Tuff Hedeman, Ted Nuce, and Ty Murray.

Injuries

He is known for his many injuries as well. Sampson's left calf has taken a bad beating over the years, and is now wired together by screws, 17 pins, and two metal plates. Recounting his various injuries as a bull rider in the New York Times Magazine, Sampson noted, "In 1983, a bull jerked me down and cracked my skull--I broke every bone in my face except my nose. I broke my ankle, my leg, my sternum, my wrist. In '88, I had an ear ripped off when a bull ran over me and his foot caught my hat."[4] He now has a prosthesis for the missing ear in 1983 at the Presidential Command Performance he shattered his face in a riding accident in front of Ronald Reagan. His PRCA career lasted almost 20 years, with 11 NFR trips.

Retirement

He was always a fan favorite, displaying his fearless riding style. He retired at the Dodge National Circuit Finals in Pocatello, ID, in 1994.[5] He spent his retirement doing ads for companies like Wrangler Jeans and Timex. His ground-breaking efforts in rodeo did not go unnoticed. In the 1990s he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.[5]

Wins and awards

References

  1. 1 2 Tumlin, Tim (1982-12-13). "Two-Event Californian Wins Rodeo Title". Farmington Daily Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  2. ↑ Carr, Steve (1984-07-06). "Sampson doesn't dwell on accident; it's history". The Courier. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
  3. ↑ Ravo, Nick (1993-04-29). "In the Chute with: Charles Sampson; 8-Second Workweek Has Its Ups and Downs". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-03-06.
  4. ↑ Coplon, Jeff (1992-04-12). "Riding Ugly". The New York Times Magazine. p. 61.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Charles Sampson". ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
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