Pro rodeo: Brazile provides glimpse of history for fans

When Ty Murray stood in the center of the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas in 1998 as the center of attention as the all-around world champion for an unprecedented seventh time, all involved in the sport knew that they were watching history being made.

Murray’s feat had fans wondering if anyone ever would have a chance to get anywhere near the new mark.

History, though, has a way of repeating itself.

Now, Trevor Brazile is writing the most recent chapters.

In December in Las Vegas, Brazile captured his fifth all-around championship in six years.

In doing so, he also accomplished a feat that hadn’t been seen since Roy Cooper in 1983 — a triple crown season with world titles in all-around, tie-down roping and steer roping.

Brazile earned $425,115 during the season, shattering all previous marks.

And the roper from Decatur wants more.

Brazile didn’t disappoint Friday night in the Ector County Coliseum during the fifth performance of the 75th SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo.

Coming out of the left box, Brazile caught his calf, dismounted quickly and finished the tie in 9.0 seconds, which puts him in a tie for eighth in the second go round and second in the average at 17.4 seconds on two runs.

Brazile was unavailable for comment after his run, returning back to his trailer to take care of a sick son. But those who missed him Friday night will be able to see him this morning in team roping slack at 9 a.m., where he is teaming with Patrick Smith of Midland.

The cowboys combined to earn more than $92,000 at the National Finals Rodeo in winning the fourth and fifth go-rounds in their first season together.

Fans who think competing in Odessa is less important than Las Vegas, all that they needed to see was Brazile’s quick show of disappointment with a split-second bobble while tying the feet of his calf Friday night.

“He’s a great cowboy, and it’s great that he starts his season in Odessa,” said Roger Turner, vice president of rodeo for the SandHills Stock Show and Rodeo committee. “You know that he’s going to rodeo hard, and people get excited to watch him.”