“It's a great honor,” said Gellerman, 70, who was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and now lives in Melba, Idaho, with his wife, Anita. “I don't even know how to word how this feels. I'm thrilled to join all those great men and women who are already in the Hall. This means a lot to me, and I can't believe how many people have reached out to congratulate me.”
Gellerman will join World Champion Bulldogger Luke Branquinho, World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Cody Wright, NFR Pickup Man Kenny Clabaugh, NFR Bronc Rider and TV Commentator Butch Knowles, Clown of the Year Tom Feller, Champion Bareback Horse Night Jacket, Oregon's St. Paul Rodeo, Cowtown Rodeo of Pilesgrove, New Jersey fame, World Champion Barrel Racer Sherry Combs Johnson and Women's Professional Rodeo Association Notable Fay Ann Horton Leach at this month's induction ceremony.
Gellerman made his first NFR at 19 in 1972, and actually turned 20 on December 4, 1972 during that year's Finals in Oklahoma City, where he headed for the late Stan Melshaw.
“That was the last year they team tied in half the rounds at the NFR, and dallied in the other half,” Gellerman said. “The NFR was all dally team roping starting in 1973.”
Gellerman's 25 years at the NFR spanned 1972-1997, with the exception of 1975, when he didn't go much due to deficient horsepower. On
