JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
There is plenty of action at the Dixie National Rodeo. One man has become a rodeo fixture in Jackson and others put their lives on the line during every performance.
There is bronc riding, calf roping, barrel racing, calf wrestling and music from country music legends like the Possum George Jones.
Seventy-five year old Lecile Harris has been involved in rodeo since he was in high school.
"That was in 1955 or 1956 and I've been in it ever since. I fought bulls for 36 years and it's been my livelihood for that long. I had other businesses and everything but it's still what I do," said Harris.
He's a mentor to his younger counterparts and is known as "the old man," a term of endearment.
"Most folks get into the hall of fame in our business, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, after they're retired and things like that. He's been in it for three or four years already, he's still going," said rodeo bull fighter, Darran Robertson.
The highlight of the rodeo is bull-riding. It's arguably the most dangerous rodeo sport. Equally dangerous is the job of the bull fighter.
"My job as a bull fighter is to protect the bull rider. As they fall off, I have to run interference and distract the bull's attention so that the cowboy can get up and get away, hopefully," added Robertson.
Harris says bull fighting is a young man's game. He says after doing it for 36 years father time told him to focus on being the rodeo clown and let the young guys take on the bulls. Harris says Robertson is modest in his description of the inherent danger bull fighting.
"His job is, if that bull is coming to a cowboy, you'd take a lick for him if you can't get the bull away and take him out and free the rider. So he has a dangerous job," Harris said.
The rodeo, the largest east of the Mississippi River, continues through Wednesday.
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