Meeting the World's Greatest Rodeo Fan

By Ted Harbin
Posted Saturday, October 27, 2007

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – James Phillips walks slow and purposeful, and moves orchestrated as he maneuvers around Kemper Arena.

He’s also got a couple of extra “legs” to help him along his path, which winds around the sport of rodeo. Passion drives him, and it’s obvious to see even below the black felt hat he wears an inch or two above his eyebrows.

Sitting in the hospitality area for the contestants, contractors and personnel involved in the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo during the American Royal, Phillips is definitely in his element. He is, after all, the world’s greatest rodeo fan, but that’s not all he’s about.

No, Phillips is quite proud of his status, but he’d prefer to be known as a world champion, gladly wearing the gold buckle that goes along that tag. And like any true champion, Phillips must handle all the challenges that come his way. His challenges, though, have been part of his life since Day 1.

“I was born with the gift of cerebral palsy,” said Phillips, 22, of Huntsville, Ark. “I say it’s a gift, because I was raised right. I was raised that I could do anything I wanted to do.”

His hips don’t work like most folks, but that doesn’t deter him. Phillips maneuvers with the help of friends and family and his two extra “legs,” crutches that allow him mobility.

“All my life, there’s been certain people who say that ‘You’re the way you are, so get used to it,’ “ Phillips said. “I don’t want to get used to it. I love this sport with all my heart and soul. I love my family, God, my friends, then rodeo. It’s that important to me.

“I’ve got a buckle to win, and I’m still breathing.”

His passion for rodeo came into development when he was about 7 years old and began attending the Rodeo of the Ozarks in nearby Springdale, Ark. By his teens, his friends began riding steers and competing in the Ozark Junior Rodeo Association. Passion turned to dreams, and he began visualizing himself riding bucking beasts.

He still visualizes. He still dreams.

He still has faith, which is a driving factor for him to pursue rodeo as a living. Though his physical challenge may keep him out of competition for a few years, if not for the rest of his life, Phillips continues to follow the rodeo trail.

“If you are in the rodeo industry, you want to be a world champion,” he said. “That’s what I want, whether it’s riding bulls or being the best in the media. I don’t want to be second in anything I do. I’m that competitive.”

Phillips is a contributor to Rodeo Attitude, conducting interviews with rodeo athletes and posting the audio on the Web site.

“What’s great is just getting to do what I love,” he said. “I feel like the luckiest guy in the world being able to do what I love.”

But passion comes with a price, as Phillips has found out. Because of his limited mobility, he needs someone to help get him to the venues. He’s been to six Professional Bull Riders Built Ford Tough Series events and a handful of other rodeos and bull-ridings. His friends and loved ones must take off work to get Phillips to where he needs to go, then there’s the cost of fuel, food and hotels.

“I’d like to be able to get some sponsors to cover the costs,” he said. “I don’t want money for myself, but I’d like to get enough money to pay my friends and my family for hauling me to these places, since they take off work to do so.”

He can’t describe his feelings toward the sport of rodeo, just that when he’s on site, he feels as though he’s at home. He admires the people who are involved in the sport and who leave their families in order to participate.

He calls rodeo addicting, and he’s not about to let anything stand in his way as he continues to pursue his dreams.“I was lucky to be born with cerebral palsy,” Phillips said. “I don’t know how my life would’ve been had God not given it to me.”