American Icon Chad Prather Joins Crowley County for the Annual Meat-In Celebration

You might know him from the internet, just a regular guy making videos about things that irked him from the front seat of a pick-up truck.

Chad Prather started that a few years ago on YouTube and has since become what some have called an "American Icon," although when he stood to address a crowd in Crowley county he laughed about the title. He said he's been called a lot of of things but perhaps never that.

Prather shared his background that he grew up in Georgia, played baseball in college and became a large animal vet. Jokingly, he explained that folks often asked him why he didn't become a small animal vet and he admitted with a laugh that he didn't really like small animal owners. So, he decided to become a large animal vet to which he learned he didn't like women who owned horses. The room at the Big Blue community building in Ordway, then erupted with laughter as it was likely a relatable observation.

Making videos that went viral on topics that America was interested in wasn't exactly what he planned but it's been his life now since about 2007 or so. Prather delved into trying his hand at politics when he ran for Texas governor but felt the people weren't ready for his sense of humor. It's straight forward and witty and maybe just too much for the Lone Star State. However, it is why so many follow Prather and listen to what he has to say.

One of the things Prather talked about seemed to resonate with the rural Southeast Colorado crowd, that a society needs discipline. It starts at home, Prather added.

Vison is needed in a family but in a society too. And boundaries are key, because if you catch a beautiful pass in football and you land out of bounds, it doesn't count.

He furthered that you must be willing to govern your own life. We need to take vision to passion to discipline to risk. Because passion without vision is just hype. And vision without faith is meaningless.

The evening also included legislative updates from Crowley County Commissioner Roy Elliot on recent gun legislation passing the House and Senate. There was an update from rancher Harold Unwin from Branson, Colorado who testified recently House Bill 25-1203, Misbranding Cultivated Meat Products as Meat. Unwin proudly announced that the bill passed unanimously across party lines. The bill was brought by House District 47 Representative Ty Winter from Trinidad and co-sponsored by State Senator Rod Pelton, along with Representative Karen McCormick and State Senator Kyle Mullica. It is a transparency bill that says you must tell consumers when a product is lab grown and not meat. It's headed to the Governor's desk where Unwin explained that Jared Polis is expected to veto it. However, the bill is likely to survive because so many supported it.

Dinner for the Annual Meat-In Day was thanks for many sponsors who provided the Southeast Colorado Beef and the community brought side dishes to share. Sponsors are listed below.

Southeast Colorado resident Chad Taylor poses with Chad Prather in a photo of the "Chads"

Chad Prather stayed after to meet residents and chat about life in Southeast Colorado and beyond.

Anne Boswell, anneboswell@coloradonewsyourway.com

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