2003 Hall of Fame Inductee
Charles Sampson

2003 Hall of Fame Inductee

Charles Sampson

Charles Sampson had his first taste of rodeo when at the age of 12 he rode a steer for the first time. One year later he met a man that would change his life, Myrtis Dightman of Houston, Texas, who encouraged him to pursue his dream and advised him that the road would not be an easy one. Sampson entered a number of amateur rodeos and did well enough to win a rodeo scholarship to Central College in Coolidge, Arizona before turning professional. Sampson qualified for the National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City in 1981, setting the stage for a promising year. In 1982, Sampson rode in more than 150 rodeos and won the bull-riding championship at the 1982 National Finals, becoming rodeo's first black world champion.

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