Whitfield, Fred

Tie-Down Roping • Inducted 2004

Born on Aug. 5, 1967, in Houston, Fred Whitfield grew up roping anything and everything in sight. Little did he know at the time that his talent would take him to the pinnacle of ProRodeo success. As of 2003, Whitfield has won eight world titles, including seven in tie-down roping and one in the all-around during his storied career; became the third cowboy in history to surpass the $2 million mark in career earnings; and became only the second African-American cowboy in PRCA history to win a world title and the first to win an all-around title. Always cool under pressure, Whitfield has made a name for himself in ProRodeo by consistently coming through in clutch situations. His signature “raise the roof” salute caught on with fans across the country who have become accustomed to his dramatic victories. Befitting a cowboy of his stature, Whitfield has won titles at virtually every major rodeo, including four Wrangler NFR aggregate crowns. His 10-head total of 84.0 seconds en route to the aggregate title in 1997 established a Wrangler NFR record and is considered one of the greatest performances in the history of the Wrangler NFR.

World Championships: 8

All-Around: 1999

Tie-Down Roping: 1991, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005

National Finals Rodeo Average Champion

Tie-Down Roping: 1991, 1997, 1999, 2002

Rookie of the Year

Overall and Tie-Down: 1990

RAM Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion

Tie-Down Roping: 2003

RAM Circuit Year-End Champion

Texas Circuit:

All-Around: 1999

Tie-Down Roping: 1996, 1999, 2001, 2006

Born: on August 5, 1967 in Houston, Texas

Joined the PRCA: 1990

NFR Qualifications: 20

California Rodeo Salinas / Salinas, CA
Tie-Down Roping: 2002

Cheyenne Frontier Days / Cheyenne, WY
Tie-Down Roping: 1990, 1994, 2000

Clovis Rodeo / Clovis, CA
Tie-Down Roping: 2003

Cody Stampede / Cody, WY
Tie-Down Roping: 1998

Dodge City Roundup / Dodge City, KS
Tie-Down Roping: 1994

Ellensburg Rodeo / Ellensburg, WA
Tie-Down Roping: 1991, 1998

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo / Fort Worth, TX
Tie-Down Roping: 1994, 1999, 2006

Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo / Guymon, OK
Tie-Down Roping: 2006

Iowa’s Championship Rodeo / Sidney, IA
Tie-Down Roping: 2011

La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo / Tucson, AZ
Tie-Down Roping: 1999

National Western Stock Show & Rodeo / Denver, CO
Tie-Down Roping: 1998

Pendleton Round-Up / Pendleton, OR
Tie-Down Roping: 1996, 2005

Red Bluff Round-Up / Red Bluff, CA
All-Around: 2001
Tie-Down Roping: 2000. 2010 (tie)

Redding Rodeo / Redding, CA
Tie-Down Roping: 1996, 1999, 2001

Reno Rodeo / Reno, NV
All-Around: 2000
Tie-Down Roping: 1996

Rowell Ranch Rodeo / Hayward, CA
Tie-Down Roping: 1997 (tie)

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo / San Antonio, TX
All-Around: 2001
Tie-Down Roping: 1992 (tie), 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004

Snake River Stampede / Nampa, ID
Tie-Down Roping: 1990

Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo / Spanish Fork, UT
Tie-Down Roping: 1996, 2001

West of the Pecos Rodeo / Pecos, TX
Tie-Down Roping: 1992 (tie)