Tom R. Ferguson
{{Short description|American rodeo cowboy}}
Tom R. Ferguson (born December 20, 1950) is an American former professional rodeo cowboy. He was the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion all-around cowboy for six consecutive years from 1974 to 1979; breaking the previous mark of five consecutive titles held by Larry Mahan. He was also the 1974 World Champion calf roper and the World Champion steer wrestler in 1977 and 1978. In 1999, he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
Early life
Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, United States, on December 20, 1950, Tom Ferguson moved to California at the age of 3 and was later chosen for the California Polytechnic State University rodeo team.{{cite web|title=Ferguson, Thomas|url=http://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=FE012|website=The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture|publisher=Oklahoma Historical Society|access-date=January 2, 2018}} The team took home multiple National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association championships, before Ferguson turned professional and returned to Miami, Oklahoma, in 1973. He joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA), which later renamed itself to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Rodeo career
Though Larry Mahan was the first to have six world all-around titles, Ferguson won six consecutively.{{cite web|url=http://indianrodeonews.com/kingsofrodeoindiancowboylegendsii.htm|title=Kings of Rodeo II|website=Indian Rodeo News|url-status=|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414211007/http://www.indianrodeonews.com/kingsofrodeoindiancowboylegendsii.htm|archive-date=April 14, 2012}} The 5-foot-11 Native American rodeo cowboy specialized in calf roping and steer wrestling. In 1994, Ty Murray broke Mahan's and Ferguson's record of six titles and tied Ferguson's record of having won six titles consecutively. In 1998, Murray won his seventh title, surpassing both of them and holding the record for all-around titles at seven titles.{{Cite web|url=http://prorodeo.com/prorodeo/cowboys/world-champions-historical/|title=PRCA World Champions (Historical)|website=Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association|access-date=May 30, 2017}} In 2010, Trevor Brazile won his eighth all-around title, surpassing them all. In 2018, Brazile won his 14th all-around title.{{cite web |title=Trevor Brazile wins 14th all-around title in final NFR |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/rodeo/national-finals-rodeo/trevor-brazile-wins-14th-all-around-title-in-final-nfr-1552602/ |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=February 25, 2019 |date=December 16, 2018}}
In his first year as a professional rodeo cowboy, Ferguson came in second in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in the All-Around Cowboy event. He accumulated more than $1 million in his rodeo career and was among the first rodeo cowboys to hire a manager.
In 1974, he won the calf roping world championship and came second in the steer wrestling event. In 1977 and 1978, he won the steer wrestling world championship. Ferguson retired from rodeo in the late 1980s.
Honors
- The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture by the Oklahoma Historical Society
- 1974 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum{{Cite news|url=https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/rodeo-hall-of-fame/5076/|title=Tom Ferguson {{!}} Rodeo Hall of Fame |website=National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum|access-date=April 10, 2017}}
- 1997 Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame{{Cite web|url=https://ellensburgrodeohalloffame.org/inductees/|title=Inductees|website=Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame|access-date=May 18, 2017}}
- 1999 ProRodeo Hall of Fame{{cite web|title=Tom Ferguson|url=https://www.prorodeohalloffame.com/inductees/all-around/tom-ferguson/|website=ProRodeo Hall of Fame|access-date=January 2, 2018}}
- 2018 PBR Ty Murray Top Hand Award{{cite web|title=Ty Murray Top Hand Award|url=https://pbr.com/heroes-legends#ty|website=Professional Bull Riders|access-date=August 19, 2023}}
References
External links
- [https://nationalcowboymuseum.org/awards-halls-of-fame/rodeo-hall-of-fame-inductees/ Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees]
{{Authority control}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ferguson, Tom}}
Category:ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees