Warren ''Freckles'' Brown

Freckles Brown (http://ndepth.newsok.com/freckles-brown-the-ride (The Oklahoman Archives))

Broken bones and countless falls never stopped him. Every time he was bucked, he ended up getting back on. He even overcame paralysis. Who is this tough man you ask? From the dirt under his fingernails, the calloused hands, and that old dirty cowboy hat, you knew it was Mr. Freckles Brown. An inspiration to many, including Lane Frost, he was always ready to lend a coaching hand. A true fighter, Freckles even fought overseas to help out his country. From bull riding to parachuting, Freckles Brown was a true inspiration. He fought for his country, came back from countless injuries and rode a bull no one had ridden in over 200 rides.

Freckles with Lane Frost (http://www.suerosoffphotography.com/photos/Lane%20 (Sue Rosoff))

On January 18, 1921 in Wheatland, Wyoming, Warren Granger Brown was born; the last of ten children. As a young kid he was immersed in working on the farm, herding cows, and reading books. At the age of fourteen he went to work on a dairy farm. When he arrived the boss asked him what him name was. He replied "Warren Granger Brown." The boss said, "Anything you say, Freckles." So the name stuck. At the age of 16 in Wilcox, Arizona, he rode his first bull. Brown once wrote a few pages saying his only desire when he was young was to be a cowboy. "I used to dream about working on a ranch and breaking horses and just being a good cowboy. I never thought of being good enough to rodeo." And yet rodeo flowed through his veins.

Freckles' ride quickly became a legend. Country-western singer Red Steagall even composed the "Ballad of Freckles Brown."
The chorus goes:
"Tonight bull riding hist'ry's made,
A cowboy gained a crown
His bull was called Tornado
And the cowboy, Freckles Brown."
 
Brown was inducted to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame for Bull Riding in 1979. On March 20, 1987, Freckles Brown died of cancer at his ranch. Even though Freckles didn't think he would ever get past ranching, he chased his dreams till he was doing what he loved. He rode every bull or bronc that stood in his way of happiness. Freckles has inspired countless men and women to persevere and work hard.

For the next three years Brown worked and slaved on ranches in Wyoming, Arizona and Colorado. From high altitude to blistering heat and breaking wild horses, Brown did it. Yet, in his spare time, Brown was a rodeo cowboy. Any competition he could find he would enter and ride. Even for just five dollars a ride. War soon sent him down a different path. Two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Brown drove to Cody, Wyoming and enlisted in the U.S. Army. According to Ron Jackson Jr, he served basic training at Fort Sill, where he was in the famous horse drawn artillery unit. He later attended horseshoeing school at Fort Riley, Kansas. Soon after he was recruited by the Office Strategic Services. Today it is known as the Central Intelligence Agency or CIA. Brown did his part by training Chinese paratroopers in secret. In 1946 he returned to China for a Red Cross sponsored rodeo with U.S. pack mules in place of broncos, and native cattle instead of bulls. Brown left China with the crown. He traveled near and far to compete, all over the world. Along the way he made memories and won awards. He won the all around title in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1948 and in 1959. He won a wild horse race in New York in 1950. And he won his first national final rodeo in 1959 in Dallas, Texas. He then returned to the National Finals in 1961 where he was defeated by the bull. Still Brown inventory of broken bones was sky high. Countless broken ribs and busted fingers, operations on shoulders, two broken necks, ten broken legs, and chronic arthritis. According to Brown he had a screw in one ankle, a pin in his shoulder and enough humor to describe himself as a "walking hardware store." When young Doug Brown, who was no relation, approached Freckles and asked if he could tell people he was his uncle, Freckles replied, "Tell 'em anything you want to." Years later when Doug became a rodeo star, Freckles asked, "Doug, would mind if I told people you were my nephew?" In late 1962, Brown was entered in the Rodeo Cowboys Association World Bull Riding Championships sitting in first place with a hearty $18,269 under his belt. On his last ride he mounted a bull named Black Smoke. The ride began well, but suddenly the bull lunged left and yanked the rope out of Freckles hands. The buzzer sounded but the bull turned and flipped him. He landed on the back of his head. He had broken his neck. He had mashed his fifth and sixth vertebrae and would need a rare operation- a front neck fusion. Doctors shaved a piece of bone from his hip and fused it to his neck. Then he was placed in a 15 pound cast that extended from his waist to the top of his head. Would he ride again? Of course; within 9 months.

Freckles Brown rides Tornado (http://ndepth.newsok.com/freckles-brown-the-ride (Ferrell Butler))

In December of 1967 history was made. Tornado, a bull who was an F-5 twister hadn't been ridden in over 200 rides was drawn for Mr. Freckles. Tornado was named the National Finals Rodeo's "meanest bull alive." Still, according to Freckles, he was tickled when he drew Tornado; he had wanted him for years. Finally came the moment to board the cyclone that was Tornado. He lowered himself onto the back of the massive beast. According to Freckles, his hide went as hard as a tabletop. His muscles tensed like a runner in starting blocks. Tornado knew what he was supposed to do. Suddenly chute two exploded open, and Tornado pitched back and forth. The crowd erupted with cheers and screams. According to Brown, he could tell the bull was feeling vulnerable. Then the clowns started moving forward and Freckles knew the eight seconds were up. He landed on his feet when he jumped off Tornado. He had done it.