A famous Tulsan wants to come to the rescue of some neglected cattle

Wednesday we told you about hundreds of starving cattle in Pittsburg County. Thursday, an unlikely rescuer has surfaced, looking to buy part of the herd. <br><br>News on 6 reporter Lori Fullbright says

Thursday, March 6th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Wednesday we told you about hundreds of starving cattle in Pittsburg County. Thursday, an unlikely rescuer has surfaced, looking to buy part of the herd.

News on 6 reporter Lori Fullbright says most of us know Wayman Tisdale as a former basketball star turned jazz musician, but few know he's a closet cowboy. Fullbright talked to Wayman about his secret desire to be a rancher.

About 20 acres of property in north Tulsa may not be the Ponderosa to some folks, but it is to Wayman Tisdale. To him, it's the beginning of yet another dream, to build a big house on some property that's close to the city where he grew up and live like a country gentleman. "My dream has always been as I drive up to my house, to have cattle on both sides.â€

Tisdale and his wife laughing refer to themselves as urban cowboys and when they saw Wednesday night's story on channel 6 about cattle from Colorado that were supposed to be cared for in Oklahoma, that have fallen on hard times, they wanted to see about buying some of the herd. "When I heard how many there were, I barely know how to feed a cow. I know you put them out to graze. But, I thought maybe I could get a few. I'd love to take care of them."

You may think ranching is a stretch for a guy who was the first OU basketball player to ever have his jersey retired and who played 12 years in the NBA or who's now become a renown jazz player, but, to Wayman, it's the perfect next step. â€œI'm moving back to my roots, north Tulsa and want to build a home and relax and just be Wayman again.â€

Whether he ends up with these cattle or not, you can bet if it's one of Wayman's dreams to own cows, like all his other dreams, he will make it come true.

We called the Pittsburg County Sheriff to see if it's possible for Wayman to buy some of the cattle. The sheriff plans to meet with the cattlemen Friday, and then he'll get back to us. We'll keep you posted.