Rodeo 's Wild Ride
Ty Murray, the "Michael Jordan of professional rodeo," is one of the most accomplished and famous riders to ever participate in the sport.
When he retired last year, many expected rodeo to lose a big part of its fan base. But it is more popular than ever, with a little behind-the-scenes help from Murray.
Murray left his Texas ranch to discuss on Friday's The Early Show his autobiography, "King of the Cowboys," which he hopes will help educate a mass audience on the thrill of the rodeo.
As a fourth-generation cowboy, Murray was obsessed with the rodeo from an early age. He rode on calves at the age of 2 as his father ran alongside him in Arizona.
"My dad would run along beside me and hold onto my belt loop so when I come off I wouldn't hit the ground," he said. "When I got to be about 4, I said, 'Dad, I don't need you holding onto my belt anymore.' It's funny because throughout my professional career, there are times I wish I still had him running along holding onto my belt."
After 15 years in professional rodeo, Murray retired last year at the age of 32. Having earned about $3 million, a record in professional rodeo, he was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2000. He won a record seven all-arounds, as well as PRCA World Bull Riding titles in 1993 and 1998, and the Wrangler National finals Rodeo average crowns in 1993 (bareback riding) and in 1998 (bull riding).
He said retiring was the right thing to do because he walked away from the physically demanding sport on top of his game and in good health, though he suffered some intense injuries along the way.
"I'd injured my knees, and when I came out of surgery, I went into a real extensive rehab program, and really worked on my knees and my legs and got my legs in great shape, and at that point I'd only won six all-around championships, which tied the world record," Murray recalled, noting since he was a kid, he wanted to break that record.
But after his knees came other injuries. "That was when I realized that I had to get in shape from head to toe and I hired a guy that was a martial arts instructor and he started training me and I trained with him," Murray said. Now, he said, he has never been in better shape.
There is no denying that he left his mark in rodeo before retiring. He helped make the rodeo a sports event with the best bull riders in the world. Murray says before the founding of the Professional Bull Riders, a guy was the most successful in rodeo if he could win $100,000 a year. Now, a world champ this year has a real chance of earning close to $3 million.
"I think when you ride bulls for a living, every day of your life is pretty much a close call. That's the reason that the guys do it. And that's the reason people pay to watch it. You know, it's an exciting sport," Murray said.
PBR has a 29-city tour and events on national television. The last 11 events have all been sold out. Success isn't isolated to the West either. PBR has sold out events in East Coast venues, such as the Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Now that the rodeo star is retired, he said he will maintain his routine as a cowboy in Texas. He loves the wildlife and has a couple thousand acres in Texas to run cows. Murray also started a little retirement home for championship bucking horses.
As for his personal life, he said he wants single ladies to know he is no longer dating Jewel, the singer.