Cowboy Lifestyle Network’s PRCA Celebrity of the Month is 8x World Champion Fred Whitfield from Hockley, Texas. For the past 24 years the world has admired Whitfield’s roping skills as a professional athlete.   He is respected by his tie-down roping colleagues, fellow rodeo contestants and fans for his dedication to practicing and his determination to win. His rodeo career winnings top $3 million dollars and his rodeo resume is legendary. Mention the name “Fred” at any practice pen, youth, amateur or pro-rodeo and it is clearly understood you are referring to the one and only Mr. Fred Whitfield.

Following Whitfield’s rookie year he won his first world championship in 1991 along with the NFR average title. Fast forward to 1997 when Whitfield set the NFR tie-down roping average record with 84.0 seconds, which he carried for 16 years. Seven years into his career he had already won three gold buckles with back to back championships in 1995 and 1996. Whitfield would add another 5 world championships by 2005. Whitfield’s PRCA profile with all his accolades can be viewed at www.prorodeo.com.

Impressive.

A Google search returns impressive as an adjective /im’presiv/ – evoking admiration through size, quality, or skill: grand, imposing, or awesome and clearly CLN’s October celebrity of the month is impressive.

Type merriam-webster.com on your Smartphone or laptop and again Whitfield’s image comes up with his impressive athletic ability: deserving attention, admiration, or respect: making a good impression.   The full definition states: having the power to excite attention, awe, or admiration <an impressive display of skill>. This completely describes his signature “raise the roof” gesture. His double open palm bench press movement above his head brings thunderous applause from crowds across the country.

Last year at the NFR Whitfield gave his fans a glimpse into his private life with the release of his autobiography Gold Buckles Don’t Lie, the Untold Tale of Fred Whitfield. In 2014, Fred continued to rodeo hard while balancing speaking engagements and book signings across the country. Gold Buckles Don’t Lie provides a glimpse into Fred’s childhood, early rodeo career and his life on the road with the trials and fame of being a professional cowboy. CLN highly recommends adding his book to your Christmas shopping list. To order the book or request Fred’s presence for a speaking engagement visit www.fredwhitfield.com. Fans can also follow @8xwhitfield on Twitter and like his Fred Whitfield fan page on Facebook. His book signing schedule at the 2014 NFR will be posted on both social platforms.

Cowboy Lifestyle Network knew in order to bring our CLN fans a true celebrity profile we needed assistance so we called Fred’s beautiful wife, Cassie and their daughters Savannah and Sydney to help answer a few questions.

Eleven-year-old Sydney told CLN, if her father wasn’t a famous rodeo cowboy she’d want him to be a construction worker. “He’s always outside working hard and I can’t see him as a suit and tie guy working behind a desk, because he wouldn’t be able to sit still,” Sydney replied.

Cassie was quick to point out her husband loves to dress up and wear a suit when the occasion is appropriate. “Fred likes to go out to dinner. He has a major sweet tooth and he loves his desserts. The kids like this about their father,” she stated.

According to Savannah if her father wasn’t a famous roper he would be a motivational speaker. “He has the ability to inspire people to follow their dreams and goals,” replied Savannah. She went on to say he doesn’t sugar coat anything, that it take hard work and determination to achieve goals. “Don’t look for the easy way to have success. He knows personally from his own childhood experiences,” she elaborated.

The 2015 rodeo season will mark Whitfield’s 25th year in the PRCA. CLN asked will the 8x World Champion be slowing down? “No way is he retiring or slowing down. He is still going to rodeo and enter the big ones. He eats, breaths and sleeps competition and roping,” mentioned Cassie. Cassie shared her desire to plan a vacation away from rodeo one day. “We’ve never had a family vacation. I want to go on a real family vacation, not one on the road when we are rodeoing…somewhere tropical.”

The number one question Fred is asked after fan’s read his book is….when will it become a Hollywood movie? So CLN viewers we want to hear from you which Hollywood actor should play Fred Whitfield?

Fun Facts:

• Fred likes root beer floats, the Sonic cherry lime aid and Cassie’s homemade cheesecake to satisfy his sweet tooth
• Fred can grill a mean steak and when he’s home a family favorite is Sunday evening steak night

 

 

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