Jesse Brown has felt both sides of The American Rodeo’s Championship Weekend pressure, the thrill of a $100,000 win and the heartbreak of coming within reach of $1 million. Now, he’s headed back to Arlington with another chance to make history.
For athletes like Jesse Brown, The American Rodeo has created life-changing opportunities. The opportuntiy to compete for major payouts on one of the sport’s biggest stages has played a defining role in Brown’s steer wrestling career. It has helped propel him to become a six-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and one of the most competitive athletes in the sport.
Brown, a former collegiate football player at Washington State University, never imagined that rodeo would take him to professional stadiums like Globe Life Field and AT&T Stadium.
“I remember watching the first year of The American and thinking how different and game-changing it was,” Brown said. “It has truly changed the sport of rodeo. It’s presented me with a lot of really cool opportunities. Rodeo has grown so much, and there’s never been a better time to be a part of it.”
Brown knows exactly what it takes to win on rodeo’s biggest stage and the impact it can have.
In 2022, he captured the steer wrestling title at The American Rodeo, delivering a career-defining run that earned him $100,000 and one of the sport’s most coveted victories.
“Winning it in 2022 was probably my favorite year,” Brown said. “It was a special feeling. Getting to celebrate that win with everyone, that was a really cool moment.”
But last year, the stakes were even higher.
In 2025, Brown found himself within reach of The American’s $1 million bonus, only to come up short after a broken barrier ended his run in heartbreaking fashion.
“The American is one of the highest-paying rodeos all year,” he said. “I’ve been in both spots, winning the $100,000 and competing for the million in the four-man round. Those are very different feelings.”
That contrast, he said, is what makes the event unlike any other.
“Going for the million dollars, that was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been in steer wrestling.”
Now, with both experiences behind him, Brown enters 2026 with something few competitors have– perspective from both sides of the sport’s biggest stage.
In 2026, Brown will have another opportunity, this time as an invitee.
After finishing in the top five of the 2025 PRCA standings, he secured one of the most coveted tickets in rodeo.
As he prepares for the 2026 edition of The American Championship Weekend at Globe Life Field on May 22-23, Brown is approaching it with a veteran mindset shaped by years of experience.
“My mindset is the same, as an invitee, to try and win first,” he said. “It’s a simpler path to Globe Life with fewer steers run, but it’s still just as challenging. There are so many talented steer wrestlers competing.”
Reflecting on the invitation, Brown added, “To be invited is great. It means you had a great 2025 season and ultimately came close to the goal of winning a world championship.”
Brown will compete alongside fellow invitees, reining 2025 The American Rodeo Champion Will Lummus, Stetson Jorgensen, Rowdy Parrott and reigning world champion Tucker Allen. The group will face off against a field of qualifiers for one of rodeo’s most prestigious titles.
The steer wrestling qualifier field has yet to be finalized.
Fans can follow all qualifier action live on Cowboy+ and across The American Rodeo’s digital platforms.
With the first of three regional qualifiers currently underway in Lexington, Kentucky, athletes and fans alike will be watching closely to see who advances and who moves one step closer to Arlington, and a shot at rodeo history.
For fans looking to attend the Lexington event, tickets are available at AmericanRodeo.com/tickets.
To watch live coverage, tune in to Cowboy+:
Thursday, April 9 8 a.m. ET — Semi-Finals
- Round 1: Barrel Racing
- Rounds 1-2 & Redemption: Breakaway
- Rounds 1-2 & Redemption: Tie-Down Roping
Friday, April 10 8 a.m. ET — Semi-Finals
- Round 2 & Redemption: Barrel Racing
- Rounds 1-2 & Redemption: Steer Wrestling
- Rounds 1-2 & Redemption: Team Roping
8 p.m. ET — Roughstock Semi-Finals
- Round 1: Bareback, Saddle Bronc, Bull Riding
Saturday, April 11 7 p.m. ET — FS1
- The American Rodeo East Regional Finals
Don’t miss a ride or run as the road to Arlington continues.