The Media Files and Clippings

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have my bull riding career featured in newspapers, rodeo programs, and event media across the country. What you’ll find here is just a portion of that coverage — not nearly everything that was printed or recorded, but the clippings and files I’ve been able to track down and hold on to.

This section also includes my collection of back numbers and rodeo programs, spanning from high school rodeo finals all the way through to professional rodeo events. Each piece is a snapshot of a time, a place, and a ride, and together they tell the story of my journey in and out of the arena.

A collage showing Michael Lewis’s first bull riding victory at the 1994 Bridgeport Youth Rodeo. The image includes a vintage newspaper photo of two young cowboys, a silver championship belt buckle engraved “Bridgeport Champion Bullrider 1994 Texas,” and a handwritten check made out to Michael Lewis for his win.
This collage captures a milestone moment in Michael Lewis’s rodeo journey — his first-ever bull riding win at the 1994 Bridgeport Youth Rodeo. The image combines three pieces of history: a newspaper photo of Michael and fellow contestant Rodney Morrow, the 1994 Bridgeport Champion Bullrider buckle, and the original $198 check awarded to Lewis for his first-place ride. Together, they tell the story of where it all began.
Two 1994 newspaper clippings — one from The Mansfield News-Mirror and one from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram — showing rodeo results from the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas. Michael Lewis of Decatur placed second in Senior Bull Riding with a score of 79, just behind Stephen Henderson of Lone Grove, Oklahoma, who scored 80.
Michael Lewis places 2nd in Senior Bull Riding at the 1994 Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas.
A Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper clipping dated September 19, 1994, listing the results of the Mineral Wells Rodeo held in Saginaw, Texas. Michael Lewis of Bridgeport placed first in bull riding, followed by Jeremy Sanders of Springtown in second and Richard Mara of Decatur in third.
Michael Lewis wins the bull riding at the 1994 Mineral Wells Rodeo in Saginaw, Texas.
Two January 1995 newspaper clippings — one from The Mansfield News-Mirror and one from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram — showing results from the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas. Michael Lewis of Decatur placed 2nd in Junior Bull Riding with a score of 71, behind Steven Lloyd of Alvarado (72).
Michael Lewis places 2nd in Junior Bull Riding at the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas – January 1995.
A collage featuring the 1995 Ashley Lockhart Benefit Rodeo newspaper article and the championship buckle. The article details the charity rodeo for two-year-old Ashley Lockhart, including bull riding results naming Michael Lewis among the winners. Below the article is a close-up of the silver “Ashley Lockhart 1995 Benefit Champion” buckle with ornate engraving and ruby inlays, held in hand.
Michael Lewis’s 1995 Ashley Lockhart Benefit Rodeo win — newspaper feature and champion buckle.
A collage of three 1995 newspaper clippings documenting Michael Lewis’s famous –88 bull ride that scored 83 points at the Boswell Rodeo in Saginaw, Texas. Articles from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Wise County Messenger list Lewis as the bull riding champion, while a faith column recounts how a prayer before the ride led to the bull turning into his hand and the win.
Michael Lewis’s –88 bull ride at the 1995 Boswell Rodeo — 83 points, first place, and a story of faith behind the win.
A newspaper clipping from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram dated September 3, 1995, listing the Saturday results of the Justin Boots Youth World Finals at Will Rogers Coliseum. Under “Senior bull riding,” Michael Lewis is listed fourth among the top riders.
Michael Lewis places fourth in the Justin Boots Youth World Finals, just weeks after breaking his femur.
A vintage newspaper photo showing three young bull riders—Michael Lewis, Lance Morrow, and Jeff Tackett—along with Ashtany Tackett, riding a Tilt-A-Whirl at the Wise County Old Settlers Reunion in 1994. All three cowboys are wearing cowboy hats and western shirts, smiling as they enjoy the ride.
Michael Lewis and friends enjoying the Tilt-A-Whirl at the 1994 Wise County Old Settlers Reunion.
A black-and-white newspaper photo of Michael Lewis of Bridgeport High School scoring an 83-point ride at the 1995 North Texas High School Rodeo Association Finals in Glen Rose, Texas, alongside his original back number “114” sponsored by Pro-Cuts. The image captures Lewis mid-ride on a spinning bull during the first round of the finals.
Michael Lewis scores 83 points at the 1995 NTHSRA Finals in Glen Rose, Texas.
A combined image showing a 1995 newspaper clipping announcing Bridgeport’s Michael Lewis qualifying for the International Finals Youth Rodeo (IFYR) in Shawnee, Oklahoma, alongside his worn back number “119” sponsored by Dodge Truck. The article highlights his top 15 ranking in the North Texas High School Rodeo Association and his plans to compete at the national youth finals.
Michael Lewis’s 1995 IFYR qualifier article and back number #119 from the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma.
A vintage contestant list from an unknown bull riding event featuring dozens of riders from Texas and Oklahoma. “Michael Lewis – Decatur, TX” is one of the competitors, with a note at the top reading “2nd place split – Paid $607.00.”
Michael Lewis ties for 2nd place at an unknown bull riding event — payout $607.00
Two April 1996 newspaper clippings — one from The Mansfield News-Mirror and one from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram — showing the official results of the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas. Michael Lewis of Decatur placed 2nd in Senior Bull Riding with a score of 78, tying Wayne Duckett of Grand Prairie, just behind event winner Chad Eubanks of Joshua, who scored 79.
Michael Lewis ties for 2nd place in Senior Bull Riding at the Kowbell Rodeo in Mansfield, Texas – April 1996.
A Fort Worth Star-Telegram newspaper clipping dated June 8, 1996, listing Friday’s results from the Mesquite Rodeo at Mesquite Arena. Michael Lewis of Decatur placed 3rd in Bull Riding with a score of 73, following J.W. Hitt of Belton (77) and Monty Parker of Terrell (75).
Michael Lewis places 3rd in Bull Riding at the Mesquite Rodeo in Mesquite, Texas – June 1996.
A Fort Worth Star-Telegram clipping from August 19, 2000, listing results from the Mesquite Championship Rodeo at Resistol Arena. The results show Michael Lewis of Fort Worth placing third in bull riding with a score of 76, behind Mark Vierig (81) and Jeremy Kirkland (77).
Michael Lewis places 3rd in bull riding at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo on August 19, 2000, with a score of 76.
A Fort Worth Star-Telegram clipping dated January 14, 2001, listing results from the Stockyards Championship Rodeo at Cowtown Coliseum. Michael Lewis is shown winning first place in bull riding with a score of 75 points on the bull Monkey Business.
Michael Lewis wins first place at the Stockyards Championship Rodeo on Monkey Business with a 75-point ride — Cowtown Coliseum, January 2001.
A 2001 newspaper results clipping from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram showing Michael Lewis of Burleson placing third at Billy Bob’s Bull Riding with a score of 69, earning $250. The results list Jed Moore of Cheyenne, Wyoming, in first place with a 77 and Derrick Parks of Stephenville in second with a 74.
Michael Lewis places 3rd at Billy Bob’s Bull Riding in Fort Worth, Texas, March 2001.
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A composite image showing the number 68 back tag from the Mesquite Championship Rodeo and a Fort Worth Star-Telegram clipping from May 28 2000 detailing the event results. The article notes that Michael Lewis of Fort Worth attempted the Mesquite bounty bull but was bucked off after 2.8 seconds, narrowly missing a $38,500 payout.
Michael Lewis (#68) attempts the Mesquite Championship Rodeo bounty bull in May 2000 — bucked off after 2.8 seconds, missing a $38,500 bonus.
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