The Fearless One

Legendary bullfighter Frank Newsom defines career by stepping up and taking second chances

For legendary bullfighter Frank Newsom, his final rodeo season ended the same way he lived his career — by stepping into danger to protect someone else. The split-second decision came at a high cost, but it’s one he’d make again without hesitation. In 2022, while competing at the Professional Bull Riders World Finals in Fort Worth, Newsom decided to spend his downtime watching the Ultimate Freestyle Bullfighting event. From his seat in the stands, he saw a young bullfighter, Ryan Pfizer, go down in the arena — and instinct took over. He jumped the fence to help.

“The bull hit me really hard, and it broke some ribs, but it also tore a hole in my stomach,” Newsom recalled. “Anyway, I didn’t get to finish the finals. I don’t have any regrets about it.”

Helping others was a fitting end to a career built on courage and faith, the same faith Frank Newsom credits for every comeback. Born in McGill, Oklahoma, his family moved to Texas when he was young. He grew up working cattle and horses on the ranches where his father was employed, but bullfighting wasn’t exactly encouraged at home. His dad hoped he’d choose something safer. Still, at 17, Newsom climbed onto his first bull. Riding didn’t come naturally, but one day he made a quick, instinctive save and fate stepped in.

“I knew that was what I wanted to do,” Newsom said. “That was my spot. I spent the rest of my life pursuing that. I was drawn to the adrenaline, how challenging it was and the danger of it.”

Newsom debuted in 1996 as a rookie, rising quickly in the world of bullfighting. By 1997, he was at the PBR World Finals, and he was soon nicknamed “Fearless One” for his behavior in the arena. His calm demeanor and split-second timing made him a favorite among riders, who trusted him to step between them and a charging bull without hesitation. Fans, too, were drawn to his quiet intensity, a man who seemed unshakable even with 1,800 pounds of muscle and fury bearing down on him.

However, time has changed Newsom’s views on his nickname.

“I don’t really like that name anymore, because once I got married and had struggles in life, there was some fear there about having people depending on you for money. I wasn’t so much worried about the injury for myself as how it affected my family. When you’re down and can’t compete, you don’t make money. The fear is naturally there when you’re dealing with the bull. You want it to be there, but you just don’t want it to control you.”

His career wasn’t without setbacks. In 2000, Newsom missed the PBR World Finals while serving time in an Oklahoma jail. It took time and faith to turn things around, but he did. Determined to rebuild his life, Newsom found his way back to both God and the arena. Starting again from the bottom, he fought his way up the ranks, earning a spot as an alternate in 2004 and returning to the PBR World Finals the very next year.

“I had to work at building that confidence in myself, but also, day by day, earning trust from everybody. And over time I did, and I got to finish out my career,” Newsom said.

At the same time, he was building a life in Paoli, Oklahoma. He met his wife, Dea, during his rookie year on the rodeo circuit when he was bullfighting, and she was singing the National Anthem. The two hit it off immediately and dated for about a year before parting ways, a classic case of the right person at the wrong time.

Years later, as Newsom worked toward his comeback, fate brought them together again. They married and went on to raise three children, Hunter, Kadence and Rigyn, who have been his greatest motivation to stay grounded and focused.

Newsom became known as one of the toughest bullfighters in the business, a reputation he more than earned. In the last bull ride of the regular season in 2021, a bull hit him, breaking his leg. However, he had a metal plate in that leg from a previous injury that kept the leg stable. Newsom decided he could still compete in the 2021 PBR World Finals held 10 days later.

“The pain was very real. That was very challenging and really tested me. I think God really showed me a lot during that time,” Newsom said. “I still did good. Even with that broken leg, I feel I competed at a high level.”

He began planning his retirement several years before his final season in 2022. He and his wife had settled in Paoli, where he’s a member of Rural Electric Cooperative. Newsom began to build a career as a welder, so he’d have something to fall back on.

“I knew I wanted to go out while I was still on top and still doing a good job. I didn’t want to stay too long,” Newsom said.

Now, he’s able to devote more time to something he’s been doing all along — mentoring the next generation of bullfighters. Though his own career has slowed, Newsom remains deeply involved in the sport. He often leads clinics alongside Cody Webster, one of today’s top bullfighters. Newsom recognized Webster’s potential early on, when he showed up on his front porch at age 11.

“Cody had that fire in his eyes. You could just tell how bad he wanted it,” Newsom said. “Before long, he was practically living at our house. One thing led to another, but he worked harder at it than probably anybody I’ve ever met. That’s why he’s the best right now.”

He began working with Webster early on, helping shape a young bullfighter who would one day become his teammate in the ring. Now, Webster has been to the PBR World Finals 10 times and was named PRCA Bullfighter of the Year in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Newsom’s proud that Webster carries on the legacy of bullfighting. Even in retirement, they continue to team up together, leading clinics to train and inspire the next generation. It’s a full circle moment.

Newsom tells young bullfighters, “You’ve got to constantly be on point, challenging yourself, matching the bull’s movements. For me, my favorite place in the world is in the arena.”

Now, as he settles into retirement, Newsom has time for the thing that matters most to him: his family, both blood and his bullfighting family.

“I’ve been able to officiate the marriage of my son and several other young bullfighters,” Newsom said. “So many good memories there.”

His lasting impact on the sport hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was honored with the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award. That same year, he was tapped, along with Webster, Lucas Teodoro and other PBR stars, to appear in an Angel Studios film titled “The Last Rodeo.” Starring Neal McDonough, it tells the story of a retired legend entering the ring one last time to raise money to treat his ill grandson.

“All the bull riding in this film is 100% real. Nothing scripted, nothing pretended,” Ezekiel Mitchell, professional PBR bull rider, said while promoting the film.

Newsom agrees with that interpretation. Even with the cameras, it’s “still just bullriding,” he said.