Former NFL linebacker Dan Skuta, who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars, enjoys learning about the early history of cattle ranching in Texas, which began in 1749 when the governor of Nuevo Leon brought settlers and soldiers to settle the Rio Grande river valley, an area that had not been previously inhabited by the Spanish, though establishing these early ranches came at a cost as the settlers faced many hardships forging a new life under threat of attack from hostile Native Americans.

1. Dan Skuta Former
49ers Linebacker
Texas Ranching Early History

2. Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker, Dan Skuta, has
also played for the San Francisco 49ers.
One of the interests former 49ers player, Daniel Skuta
enjoys is learning about the history of Texas ranching.

3. Although wild cattle had drifted northward from ranchos
in central Mexico since the 1500s, cattle ranching in South
Texas began in 1749, when José de Escandón, the
governor of Nuevo Leon, brought 3,000 settlers and 146
soldiers to settle the area bordering the Rio Bravo river
(now known as the Rio Grande river).

4. Although expeditions had travelled across portions of
it on several occasions, explains Dan Skuta, former
49ers player, this area had not been inhabited by the
Spanish.

5. However, these early ranches on the Rio Grande were
established at a price.
Among many hardships, the settlers had to forge a new
life on the frontier under constant threat of attack by
hostile Native Americans.

6. However, these early ranches on the Rio Grande were
established at a price.
Among many hardships, the settlers had to forge a new
life on the frontier under constant threat of attack by
hostile Native Americans.