Mesquite High School Football & Rodeo Hall of Famer
Mesquite High School alum Don Gay is a legend in the rodeo arena and Mesquite community. During his time in high school, Gay played defensive end on the football team while simultaneously making a name for himself in rodeo. In 1971, he qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo as a junior. The following year, after graduating from MHS, he earned a spot in the National Finals Rodeo (World Championship) and finished the season ranked No. 7 in the world. Over the course of his career, Gay went on to win eight Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Championships in bull riding - a record that remains unmatched to this day.
Due to his trailblazing achievements, Gay was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1972. His father, Neal, was later inducted in 1993 - making them the only father-son duo to receive this honor. In addition, he's also been inducted into the Bull Riding and Texas Rodeo Cowboy Halls of Fame and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including the prestigious PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Ring of Honor and Legends of ProRodeo Award - another distinction he proudly shares with his father. In the late 1980s and 90s, Gay brought national attention to Mesquite by televising the Mesquite Championship Rodeo - a move that played a pivotal role in the city being named the Rodeo Capital of Texas. His influence on the sport of rodeo and the city of Mesquite continues to be felt today.
