Legendary Rodeo Champion Dies At 79
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Rodeo Legend Phil Lyne Dies At 79
Legendary rodeo cowboy Phil Lyne, a five-time world champion celebrated for his incredible versatility, has died at the age of 79. His family announced the news on Saturday.
Lyne was born on January 18, 1947, in San Antonio, Texas. He earned the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Rookie of the Year honors in 1969 before claiming his first world titles in calf roping and all-around competition in 1971.
Lyne successfully defended both championships in 1972 and, years later, came out of retirement to capture the world steer roping title in 1990.
Remembering Phil Lyne’s Incredible Career
According to the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, Lyne’s rodeo journey began when he was just 4 years old. After competing in the Texas Youth Rodeo Association, he went on to make a name for himself at Southwest Texas State University, where he claimed National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) titles in calf roping and all-around competition in 1968 and 1969.
In 1972, Lyne earned another world championship in calf roping and once again claimed the all-around cowboy title. That same year, he also won the National Finals average in both calf roping and bull riding and finished as the world runner-up in bull riding.
His legendary career earned him recognition from both the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Texas Cowboy Rodeo Hall of Fame.
Despite his success, Lyne chose to retire from professional rodeo while still at the top of his game. He returned to ranching and hunting near Cotulla, Texas, where he and his wife, Sarah Kay, raised their daughters, Amanda and Samantha.
