The Justin Sports Medicine Team and the Cowboy Crisis Fund

Behind every rodeo athlete is a group of unsung medical professionals who selflessly lend their time and their abilities to keep them safe and healthy.

Former Dallas Cowboys team physician Dr. J. Pat Evans was asked to extend his medical services by football legend Walt Garrison - who was known for spending off seasons competing in rodeos. While accompanying Garrison to a rodeo in 1979 Evans saw the need for a sports medicine program that could provide care to these competitive athletes. In 1980 Evans mentioned this idea to athletic trainer Don Andrews and the two proposed the concept to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). And in 1981 the program received a sponsorship from the Justin Boot Company.

The Justin Sports Medicine Team (JST) has been the sole modern mobile sports medicine program since 1981. The program has been widely credited for improving the rodeo industry by extending contestant’s careers and saving their lives. JST has a national network of over 750 physicians, orthopedists, trauma specialists, athletic trainers, physical therapists and massage therapists, to provide onsite medical assistance to professional rodeo athletes.

The Justin Boot Company funds the entire JST program and the vast majority of additional physicians and athletic trainers that JST uses are volunteers. These mobile centers are fully equipped with advanced medical technologies and injury reporting software that can be transferred between JST doctors or the contestant’s primary physician. The JST strives to provide contestants with top-level immediate care and attention to ensure that athletes are able to stay healthy from one rodeo to the next, all free of charge. “Without them this wouldn’t be possible, they have made rodeo so much easier for contestants - there's no way you could get through a full season without the Justin Sports Medicine Team” stated by Bareback Rider Tim O’Connell.

What began with a few rodeos and an El Camino, the JST has evolved into helping over 8,000 athletes at more than 550 rodeo performances from across the country each year. Justin Sports Medicine Team Manager Bill Ziegler states “no matter if you are a permit holder or a world champion”, the JST will always be there.

A discussion broke out in 1989 between John Justin, Frank Scivetti, Jim Shoulders and fellow friends on the dangers that rodeo athletes face every time they step into an arena. They wondered what would happen to these athletes if they were to become injured and need financial assistance. What would happen to those who were unable to provide for themselves and their families?

The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund, JCCF, was then formed and established from a whim based on John Justin’s discussion amongst his friends. A long time PRCA sponsor, the Justin Boot Company was able to partner with both the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) to maintain the JCCF. The JCCF was later granted a 501-C3 and recognized as a non-profit organization in 1991.

Solely funded through donations made by individuals, the JCCF has been a cornerstone for those professional athletes and their families who have suffered serious injuries that occurred during professional rodeo activities. To date, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund has granted over $9.5 million to more than 1350 injured rodeo athletes and rodeo families. Distinctive amongst countless charitable organizations, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund gives back 100% of all contributions received to eligible applicants to gain direct financial assistance.

Donate to the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund here  : https://www.justincowboycrisisfund.org/