HOUSTON — When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo rides into town in 2025, there will be a brand new barrelman on the floor of NRG Stadium.
RodeoHouston announced that John Harrison will succeed Leon Coffee who retired as "the man in the can" after more than three decades.
“We are excited to have John Harrison join us at RodeoHouston. He has become one of the industry's finest entertainers and we are thrilled to introduce him to our guests," Rodeo president and CEO, Chris Boleman said.
According to HLSR, Harrison is one of the most accomplished barrelman in the sport with 12 appearances at the National Finals Rodeo. He was named Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Clown/Barrelman of the Year in 2023, his ninth time winning the award. Harrison also took home Comedy Act of the Year for the eighth time in 2023.
"Becoming a part of RodeoHouston feels like a dream come true!" Harrison said. "The privilege of following in the legendary footsteps of Leon Coffee is both an honor and a challenge I gladly accept."
Harrison and his family of rodeo clowns are originally from Soper, Oklahoma.
"Back in 2002, when I first started doing rodeo acts, I never imagined I would be center stage at the most prestigious livestock show and rodeo in the world,” he said.
According to HLSR, Coffee handpicked Harrison as his successor and said he's confident in his ability to captivate audiences.
"He is the perfect addition to RodeoHouston and I can't wait to see what he brings to the arena next year," Coffee said.
Don't worry, Rodeo fans. Coffee will still be in the stands with his bright green cowboy hat, unmistakable laugh and contagious smile.
"Me, my props are going to be sitting in these seats right here," he said. "I'm going to be around 'til the good Lord takes me away."
Coffee to be inducted into RodeoHouston Hall of Fame
Earlier this month, RodeoHouston announced Coffee as its 2025 Hall of Fame inductee.
Now 70, Coffee somehow managed to make a dangerous job look fun but don't let the title rodeo clown fool you.
"You've got 1,800 pounds of master beef running at you, going 40 miles an hour," Coffee told KHOU 11 last year.
The longtime barrelman sacrificed his own body to help other bullfighters distract the angry beasts that try to buck off cowboys as they hang on for dear life.
"I've had 143 different breaks and a lot of them two or three times," Coffee said. "The whole right side of my face is all plastic and wire. They had to rebuild all that."
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo President and CEO Chris Boleman cited Coffee's dedication to the sport and legacy on and off the dirt as reasons he was chosen for the second Hall of Fame class.
The Rodeo's 2024 inaugural class included longtime announcer Bob Tallman, decorated barrel racer Charmayne James and Mike Cervi, who's provided bulls, broncs, steers and calves to Rodeo Houston for 50 years.