Texas Legend to Keynote Fundraising Dinner for Fort Worth Herd

Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and Texas rancher Nolan Ryan will be the keynote speaker at Friends of the Fort Worth Herd’s annual fundraising dinner, Cowboy Conversations, on October 4, 2023 at Billy Bob’s Texas.

Cowboy Conversations is an annual fundraising dinner that benefits the Friends of the Fort Worth Herd, the non-profit organization that supports the Fort Worth Herd by providing funding for horses, feed, tack and veterinary care. The Fort Worth Herd is the world’s only twice-daily cattle drive, the number one attraction in Fort Worth and among the most visited in the state.

Regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of baseball with 51 total MLB records, Nolan Ryan’s affiliation with Texas is well-known. Born and raised in the Lone Star State, Ryan pitched for the Texas Rangers from 1989 to 1993 and served as president and CEO of the Rangers from 2008 to 2013.

Ryan has continued to champion Texas throughout his career and during his post-baseball years. His appearance at this year’s Friends of the Fort Worth Herd fundraising dinner will bring much-deserved attention to the historical significance of the Fort Worth Herd.

“Not only is Nolan Ryan an icon and a role model for young athletes, but he is also an advocate for Texas and the cattle industry,” said Pam Minick, president of the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Fort Worth Herd. “We’re honored he will be sharing his time and insights with us and look forward to a memorable evening.”

Joining Ryan on the podium will be Alan Schutts, an avid cattleman and rancher. A former cutting horse champion, Schutts is a past president of Beefmaster Breeders Universal and Honorary Vice President of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Tom Johnson, a cattle rancher and lifelong friend of Ryan and Schutts, will emcee.

Nolan Ryan grew up in Alvin, Texas as the youngest of six children. He bought his first calf for $1 at the age of ten. After winning the World Series in 1969 with the New York Mets, Ryan and his wife, Ruth, bought a ranch in South Texas, where he became a keen student of cattle management and began a six-decade passion for cattle ranching.

In 2000, he launched Nolan Ryan Branded Beef, providing quality beef products in Texas, Louisiana and throughout the southwest. Ryan is an ardent spokesperson for the cattle industry and the Beefmaster breed. In 2011, Ryan received the Golden Spur Award from the Ranching Heritage Association for his support of the cattle industry. He was inducted in the Texas Trail of Fame in 2009 and the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2010.