It’s almost impossible to find an achievement, award or accolade that’s eluded Trevor Brazile. He’s won more than anyone else in the history of our sport. The Rodeo Historical Society just found a way, and honored our cowboy king with the 2024 Ben Johnson Memorial Award on Saturday night, November 9 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. 

This prestigious award is given each year in the name of a remarkable cowboy with the rare distinction of being both a world champion team roper (1953) and an Academy Award-winning actor. Pride of Pawhuska, Oklahoma Johnson, who died in 1996 at 77, won his Academy Award in 1971 for his role in The Last Picture Show. 

Everyone knows about Trevor’s 26 gold buckles and $7 million-plus in career earnings. But what are the marks of a truly good man and worthy rodeo role model and hero for our kids and the generations to come? For me, it’s a simple list, and Brazile checks every box.  

Beyond his second-to-none work ethic and talent, Trevor Brazile is a man of God who puts his family first. He left his career while still winning world championships, because Shada, Treston, Style and Swayzi mean more. 

This week, there are two images of Trevor in my mind that tell this tale. One was the sweet scene I saw when I went to find him for a hug as the induction ceremony concluded. While many were grabbing another beer and making plans with friends about which bar they would meet at later, I watched Trevor walk straight over to Delmar Smith. 

Dear Delmar is pushing 100. He gets around with the help of a walker and scooter now, and was cupping his hand to his ear all weekend, while apologizing for forgetting his hearing aids at home. Most there had no idea that Delmar was a world-famous bird-dog trainer in his day, and is the King of the Chutes at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, where Delmar cracked the gate for generations of cowboys at the Timed Event Championship. Trevor made that man’s night. Mine, too.

The other picture I just happened to run across this week was from the Pendleton Round-Up the year a couple of rodeo photographers got in Trevor’s road in the steer roping. I’m not sure anyone else on this earth could have had the presence of mind to navigate that horse, hold his slack and spare two lives, while also sacrificing a much fatter paycheck had he not shown the world what ultimate cowboy sportsmanship and humanity look like. I don’t know who took that picture—heck, it might even be a screen shot taken from the telecast—but I thank whoever did that for stopping time on a true cowboy classic. 

“This is such an honor,” Trevor said. “You are my people, and there’s nowhere I feel more at home than with you all. When I walk into a place like this it takes me back to my roots. I’m so thankful for this Western industry I get to call mine.

“That same grit Ben Johnson had is the only thing that can turn that potential that everybody has into reality. I gladly carry the torch. Thank you.”

Raised right, and cowboy to the core. Thank you, and congratulations, Trevor!