Nolan Ryan Is No Figurehead

It’s been 14 years since he walked off the field after his last pitch in the Major Leagues, but with almost twice that many years on the field, a Hall of Fame designation and more than 40 records to his name, Nolan Ryan is as much a household name as probably any sports star.

It was just that name recognition — not to mention his affinity for all things cattle — that brought about the Nolan Ryan Guaranteed Tender Beef brand; and it was just that fame that elicited a bit of nerves on my flight south to meet with the “Texas Legend” to discuss the beef operations and quality processes so essential to protecting this household name.

But whether it was simple Southern hospitality, his small-town rearin’, his experience with reporters, or just the outstretched hand and unassuming Texas-drawled “Hi, I’m Nolan Ryan,” I was immediately put at ease.
That ease and open communication continued through the afternoon, with Nolan — who had fit us into an already hectic schedule — posing for photo after photo and attentively answering questions on baseball and beef as though, to him, this held as much importance as game seven of a World Series. And his answers, and inspections during the tour, proved that Nolan Ryan is no figurehead for Nolan Ryan Beef, nor a stranger to the process. Nolan Ryan may be best known for baseball, but Nolan Ryan knows — and loves — his beef. 

Though I’ll always be in awe of the baseball magnificence that is Nolan Ryan, it is the humble, down-home cattle rancher and beef connoisseur that I will now associate with the name. You may cherish a signed baseball, but it would be his signature on a hairnet — or the cover of this magazine — that would most reflect the Nolan Ryan I got to know that rainy afternoon down Texas way. To gain your own perspective of Nolan Ryan, the beef producer, and learn more about the distinctive quality processes of Nolan Ryan’s Guaranteed Tender Beef, turn to page 12.

With the 2007 Food Safety and Security Summit just barely behind us, we’d also like to thank all of you who stopped at our booth to visit — particularly those standing in line waiting for table space or pen to fill out the subscription form. In this issue, and throughout upcoming issues, we will be including, and expanding on, information from the summit sessions, both as feature articles and within those designated by our editorial calendar.  QA

The author is Staff Editor of QA magazine.