Ferguson, "Tom" (Thomas)
Rodeo
b. Dec. 20, 1950, Tahlequah, OK
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Ferguson is the only rodeo cowboy ever to win 6 consecutive national all-around championships, from 1974 through 1979, though he tied with Leo Camarillo for the 1975 title. In 1979, Ferguson became one of only four men ever to qualify for the national finals in three different events.
Ferguson was the national steer wrestling champion in 1977 and 1978 and the calf roping champion in 1974. He won more than $100,000 in the 1978 season, the first time that was ever accomplished, and in March of 1986 he became the first cowboy to win more than $1 million during his career.