Freckles Brown
Warren Granger "Freckles" Brown was an American rodeo performer born in Wheatland, Wyoming on January 18, 1921. He died March 20, 1987, at his ranch in Soper, Oklahoma.
His career spanned from 1937 to 1974, competing in bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, and bulldogging. He was the PRCA World Champion Bull Rider in 1962. Brown was inducted into the PRCA Hall of Fame for Bull Riding in 1979.[1]
Brown is remembered for riding an "unrideable" bull named Tornado in 1967. The bull, owned by Jim Shoulders, had thrown over 200 riders over a 14-year period before Brown's successful ride.[2] Brown, this ride, and Tornado are all memorialized in Red Steagall's song, "Freckles Brown".[3]
Brown later retired to his ranch near Soper, Oklahoma.[4] He was a friend and mentor to bull riding champion Lane Frost, who is buried next to him in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma.[3][5]
References
- ^ Warren G. (Freckles) Brown at ProRodeo Hall of Fame website (accessed October 3, 2012).
- ^ Washington Post, "Legendary Rodeo Champion Jim Shoulders, 79" 21 June 2007
- ^ a b Cathy Logan, "Freckles Brown's ride on Tornado is the stuff of songs and legends", Tulsa World, January 5, 2006.
- ^ W.K. Stratton, "Sitting Atop A Tornado: In 1967, at 46, Freckles Brown rode the unridable bull", Sports Illustrated, May 25, 1987.
- ^ "Cowboy's funeral draws throng", AP in Tulsa World, August 3, 1989.
External links
- Freckles Brown at lanefrost.com
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