Dr. J. Pat Evans, co-founder of Justin Sportsmedicine, passes away

The rodeo and sports world lost a legend and pioneer in Dr. J. Pat Evans. Evans, one of the founders of the Justin Sportsmedicine Program, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2004, passed away July 22. He was 88. Evans is survived by sons Kirk and Mike. The Justin Sportsmedicine Program was initiated at the 1980 National Finals Rodeo in Oklahoma City, and Evans, along with Don Andrews, was a driving force in making that happen. Before Evans envisioned the Justin Sportsmedicine Program and worked to get it started, there was nothing organized for providing medical care to rodeo athletes. In 1981, the Justin Boots Company became the only sponsor the program has known in its years of service. “Justin Sportsmedicine was my dream,” Evans told 1978 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider Butch Kirby one time in conversation. “He was like a father to all of us," Kirby said. "Cowboys used to go to Forest Lane in Dallas to see Dr. J. Pat so they could get fixed up. When he fixed cowboys and we won, he won also.” ProRodeo Hall of Fame bull rider Donnie Gay knows Evans is irreplaceable. “The world is a better place because he was here,” Gay said. Rick Foster, who is the program director for the Justin Sportsmedicine team, was glad to have known Evans. "He was a mentor for all of us and a great educator of rodeo sports medicine, and the best professional friend anyone could have," Foster said. And, Evans loved treating cowboys. “The cowboys are the toughest guys on the planet,” Evans said before his passing through Dee Chambless, a family friend. The reach of Evans’ influence in sports medicine is far and wide, and especially on Dr. Tandy Freeman, the Medical Director of the Justin Sportsmedicine team. “To begin with, he (J. Pat) was one of my mentors,” Freeman said. “He is one of the people who has had a profound impact on my life. I wouldn’t be where I am, doing what I’m doing, if it hadn’t been for J. Pat. When I first met Dr. Evans, I was a resident in training, I hadn’t decided what I wanted to do."...MORE