PRORODEO Sports News - June 6, 2025

NATIONAL FINALS RODEO CHAMPS

REUNITE, REMINISCE ON 40TH ANNIVERSARY By Zach Alvira I t’s a rarity in any professional sport across the world. Seven world champions, together in

one venue at one table, reminiscing on the 40th anniversary of when they each claimed

their elusive titles. That was the scene Monday, June 2, at the Cinch Saloon in the South Point Hotel in Las Vegas, the site of the annual National Finals Rodeo Media Day. Seven of the eight 1985 NFR World Champions – tie-down roper Joe Beaver, bull rider Ted Nuce, saddle bronc rider Brad Gjermundson, steer wrestler Ote Berry, team ropers Jake Barnes and Clay O’Brien Cooper and barrel racer Charmayne James - came together to reflect on a banner year for PRORODEO. The conversation didn’t disappoint. “We haven’t all been in the same room in a long time,” Beaver said. “It doesn’t always seem like (the 1985 NFR) was that long ago. But sometimes it feels like it was a lifetime ago.” Beaver won his first gold buckle in 1985, beating fellow PRORODEO Hall of Famer Roy Cooper for the title. The win marked the first tie-down championship in the Thom as & Mack Center in Las Vegas after the NFR was moved from Oklahoma City. He went on to win seven more world titles, three of which were in the all-around. Thomas & Mack Center would later be referred to as “The house that Joe built.” Beaver led the conversation at the South Point, reflecting on the last time the group had been together in the same building, let alone in close proximity. They compared events from back then to today, as well as the camaraderie

they all had with one another. Nuce mentioned the group’s work ethic. He believes it’s still one of their best qualities to this day. “I’ve seen all of you guys. You guys all have a crazy work ethic,” Nuce said. “I have two boys and I preach to them every day, ‘If you’re going to win, you have to have good work ethic.’ You’re not going to win if you don’t have that.” “You can’t buy a number to the National Finals,” Beaver added. The arrival of the NFR revived Las Vegas in December. Normally slow for tourism, taxicab drivers were subject to layoffs with decreasing crowd sizes. But PRORODEO’s biggest stage brought life back to the city in the winter months. It also brought new life to the PRORODEO finale. “It used to be the slowest time,” steer wrestler Ote Berry said. “They laid off half the cab drivers and staff at the hotels. Vegas used to be closed in December.” The first year in Vegas brought the biggest payout to date at the NFR, with $8,000 available per round and $90,000-plus in each event. “It was a lot of money. A big change,” Beaver said.

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