Doyle Brunson is no doubt one of the biggest legends of all-time in poker. The 76 year-old man has not only won 10 WSOP gold bracelets along with numerous other tournaments, but he’s also become an icon in the process. What’s even more amazing about Brunson is that he built part of his legend away from big-time poker tournaments by playing in dusty saloons throughout Texas.
Now Brunson has added a new chapter to his legacy by being added to the Hardin-Simmons University Athletics Hall of Fame. For those who don’t know, Doyle was a standout track athlete and basketball player during his years at Hardin-Simmons. Brunson was so good at basketball that he even attracted the attention of the NBA’s Minneapolis Lakers before a terrible leg break ended his career.
Unfortunately, his induction into the HSU Athletics Hall of Fame has take a little longer than it should have. The presumed opinion is that Brunson’s poker playing has been frowned upon by the Baptist college and so it’s taken Doyle a lot longer to get into their Hall. Brunson explained this by saying, “I know a lot of people went to bat for me, and they were more anxious for this to happen than I was at this point. I felt a little snubbed, but on the other hand I did understand the reasons.”
He went on to explain this line of thinking by stating, “I was a second-class citizen back in those days. Everybody thought you were a gangster or a mobster or something because you played poker. It was hurtful, but I loved the game so much that it’s the only way I could compete anymore. So that’s why I got into being a poker player.” Doyle Brunson no longer has to feel snubbed any longer at HSU since they are now choosing to honor his sports accomplishments.
