The LeBron James of rodeo came to Tucson on Thursday for the first time in six years.
And he promptly shot two air balls.
In his first appearance at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo in more than a half-decade, 23-time world champion Trevor Brazile whiffed on both entries, in team roping along with longtime partner Patrick Smith and in his premier solo event, tie-down roping.
Both times, the athletes zigged and the animal zagged, and Brazile exits Tucson as quickly as he entered, but still with the same perspective as when he came here.
“When I first started out, I said you have to look at this as a season,” Brazile said. “You can’t judge a win percentage until then. Some people have strong winters, strong falls, strong summers; I’ve had all of those, but rarely all at once. You just have to be honest with yourself, know if there are things you need to work on.”
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In Brazile’s case, that’s not much.
He knew with his draw that Thursday was going to be a tough go-round, but any time an athlete with Brazile’s bona fides walks home without a buckle, it’s a surprise.
Except, perhaps, to Brazile, who handled his disappointment with aplomb, tipping his cap to the crowd when the announcer, Wayne Brooks, bid him adieu.
“You’re going to be in the spotlight no matter what,” Brazile said. “It’s no less significant if one kid is looking at you or 100,000. You have the chance to steer someone’s life in the right direction, make the right choices. Nothing you say outweighs what they see.”
There’s no time for Brazile to dwell on his bad day, not with so many more opportunities ahead. He’s heading home temporarily for some rest and then heading out for a timed event and a shot at the George Strait Team Roping Classic, which are not Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association events but have huge paydays.
“There are a lot of opportunities outside of just what you’d think of,” he said.
Two years ago, joining with a few dozen of rodeo’s top competitors, Brazile and Co. tried to create their own, forming the Elite Rodeo Association, a premier circuit for only the best in the business. The PRCA fought back, instituting new bylaws that essentially barred those who received a financial stake in other rodeo organizations, and the ERA brought an antitrust lawsuit against the PRCA. But the ERA did not catch on as hoped, attendance waned, and the lawsuit was ruled in favor of the PRCA; the new venture canceled its 2017 campaign and vowed to regroup for 2018.
As a result, many of the cowboys and cowgirls who would typically compete at the big San Antonio Rodeo were unable to qualify.
“I’ve tried to put everything in perspective and realize how blessed I am to be able to do what I love for a living,” Brazile said. “I love great horses, and as long as I’ve got great horses under me, it’s a blast to do what I do.”
On Thursday, it was Johnny, a beautiful, big, brown horse who snorted only a few times as Brazile talked about his day, atop Johnny’s back.
Brazile has had Johnny for about a year . He knew he was something special just by watching him practice; a world champion like Brazile can watch a bend or a turn or a twist and know he’s found something special.
For Brazile, it’s extra-special.
“Anyone who’s cared for a pet knows the love you have for that animal, but that animal usually isn’t directly responsible for your livelihood either,” he said. “That’s a whole different bond. Without a great horse, I don’t make money for my family.”
