Don Gay

Donald ("Don" or "Donnie") Gay is an American eight-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) world champion bullrider. Born in 1953 to Neal Gay and Evelyn "Cookie" Foster, he was only a year old when his mother died of leukemia. Neal then married Kay Gay, who raised Don and his brother Pete as her own. Don grew up in Mesquite, Texas, and started rodeo at age 6. His father, Neal Gay, was a well-known rodeo competitor and rodeo producer. Don was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979; his father was inducted in 1993, becoming the only father and son to receive that honor.[1] Don retired from professional rodeo in 1989.[2]

Gay now does live announcing at bull riding events across the United States. He was also a commentator for Professional Bull Riders (PBR) big-league events on TNN from 1994-2001, PRCA Xtreme Bulls big-league events on ESPN and Great American Country (GAC) from 2003–13 and Championship Bull Riding (CBR) big-league events on GAC from 2009-10. However, he continues to be involved in PRCA Xtreme Bulls and CBR, providing live announcing at some events, including the CBR finals. He also continues to provide additional color commentary for the bull riding during the live telecasts of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) each December. Starting in 2011, he now also runs his own semi-professional bull riding organization, the Don Gay Bull Riding Tour (DGBRT), which sanctions events annually across the United States. In 1997 he received the PBR's Ring of Honor.[3]

In 2007 Gay was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame along with his brothers Pete and Jim.[4]

Rodeo career

Don started riding calves at age 6. His father ran the famed Mesquite Rodeo which still operates today. He used Mesquite to perfect his skills on both bulls and broncs. He got his PRCA permit just out of high school and hit the road.[5] He soon got his pilot's license and began flying himself to rodeo events in a private plane.[6] Don Gay won almost every major rodeo in the country at some point during his career. He won the first of 8 world titles in 1974. He would go on to win in 1975, 1976 and 1977. His next four titles came in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1984. The record of 8 world titles in bull riding still stands to this day.[7]

References

  1. ↑ MCR History 90's Mesquite Championship Rodeo, accessed March 31, 2010
  2. ↑ "Famed bullrider Don Gay still a big part of rodeo" TimesRecordNews, June 21, 2008, accessed March 31, 2010
  3. ↑ Professional Bull Riders, Inc. Ring of Honor, accessed March 31, 2010
  4. ↑ Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame Inductees, accessed March 31, 2010
  5. ↑ "Collected Wisdom: Donnie Gay", November 30, 2008, accessed March 31, 2010
  6. ↑ Applebome, Peter (12 February 1986). "RODEO, NEW STYLE: BOXES FOR $10,000". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  7. ↑ Inductees - Don Gay ProRodeo Hall of Fame, accessed March 31, 2010

External links

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