I believe I first met Cowboy Gene on the Facebook. He was training with Phil Stevens, a friend of mine, down in Arizona and kicking arse all over the place. I met him face to face while living down in Texas when Gene and Phil moseyed over for a Roundtable event that included Rippetoe; Wendler; and Suggs. It really was one of my favorite (non-Bigg) weekend’s down there.
Of course, when they hit town, I immediately had to bring them down to the Bar-L for Red Draws they serve you in your car. Yup, drinks drive-in. Texas isn’t all bad.
After spending about 15 minutes with Gene, you get a clear message of who he is. A gentlemen; a patriot; a lifter; and a charmer. Seriously, he really should think about doing weekend seminars to the males of today on how to be a mixture of Clint Eastwood, Sam Elliot, Ed Coan, Sam Houston, and many other great men I’m not thinking of at the moment.
At 70 years young, Gene continues to go for records on the platform. He recently competed at a USPF regional meet, here are his bench and deadlift: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdTeA35y4JE. There is some dissension in the ranks as to whether or not he locked out his final pull. Of course I believe he did and I also believe the head judge snoozed. But I wasn’t there, so I don’t know. That’s not the point. The point? Gene’s response:
Most agree it was not a good call, but you can’t argue with the judges call.
Sooooo, basically…judges said so. End of story. No drama here folks, move along. See, that’s how adults behave. No bitching and moaning; not complete agreement but willing to concede to the judges. Because at the end of the day, the judges have the final say. Those of us who have been competing for a while understand this. No whining; no pouting; no foot stomp or lashing out. We show respect and let the cards fall where they may. Gene is a good teacher.
Here’s Tommy and Gene talking story. Two amazing men who could teach the low testosterone males of today how to roll.
Congratulations to Gene for another great meet, thanks for the lessons. You are the model.
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’
Erma Bombeck
tosabarbell 