Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inducts new members today

By Terry Evans

tevans@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH -- Induction into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors a cowboy or cowgirl can receive, an official said.

"There are other rodeo halls of fame," said Jami Hoffman, executive director. "We don't focus just on rodeo. It is our guiding light, but we also look at what an individual has brought to the table to support the cowboy lifestyle and heritage."

Four people and a ranching family join inductees who, since 2001, have included such celebrated Texans as Nolan Ryan, Tommy Lee Jones, George Strait, Ty Murray, Barry Corbin, Red Steagall and Tuff Hedeman.

Those being inducted at tonight's ceremony are former Dallas Cowboy player Randy White, Dr. Tandy Freeman III, Sandy Kirby, Tommy Steiner and the Edwards family of Edwards Ranch.

Randy White

A 1975 first-round draft pick, White not only distinguished himself in football, but also became an impressive celebrity roper, as well as an entrepreneur with Randy White's Hall of Fame BBQ restaurants. His generosity is legend, prompting appearances at many western and children's fundraisers. He will receive the Rick Smith Spirit of Texas award.

The award's namesake and founder of Rick Smith Music "put Texas music on the map" and was such an avid supporter of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame that the award was established to recognize those who embody state pride, Hoffman said.

The first award went to Willie Nelson in 2005, she said.

Dr. Tandy Freeeman III

Freeman is medical director for the Justin Sports Medicine Team and the Professional Bull Riders Sports Medicine Program. He's also the team physician for the Dallas Mavericks and one of the physicians for the U.S. Ski Team.

Sandy Kirby

Kirby grew up in a rodeo family and was a trick rider when he was 5. He qualified 14 times for the National Finals Rodeo -- nine times for bull riding and five times for bareback -- capturing the 1973 Bareback Average and 1974 Bull Riding Average titles.

Tommy Steiner

Steiner, who died in 1999, also started rodeo early, as a 10-year-old, second-generation stock contractor. His rodeos earned a reputation for high-quality stock, including Bulls of the Year in 1975 and 1978 and the 1975 Bareback Horse of the Year.

The Edwards family

The Edwards family has been operating Edwards Ranch more than 160 years, since an 1848 land grant established it on the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. Part of its (at one time) 7,000 acres were developed into Trinity Park and the Fort Worth Zoo.

Terry Evans, 817-390-7620

Twitter: @fwstevans

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