PRORODEO Sports News - September 5, 2025

BOBBY KERR (CONTINUED)

the PRCA Specialty Act of the Year Award five times. He's been to the NFR once and in 2011 was named a fi nalist and fan favorite of the Supreme Extreme Mustang Makeover. He won the title in 2012. In 2013 he was named IPRA National Finals Rodeo Showcase Champion. A year later he was a Mustang Million Finalist with two horses and made an appearance on Good Morning Amer ica. Perhaps one of Kerr's most proud accomplishments, though, is his creation of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, located in the Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas. He was inducted into the hall he founded with his wife Susan in 2021. "It was unbelievable," Kerr said of his induction. "I wasn't even rodeoing then. I knew a lot of cowboys because I used to build Western furniture. I never dreamed of being in it myself. It was a really special night." Kerr's battle with cancer has brought the PRORODEO community together to rally around him. He's been hon ored throughout the season at most of his stops, and those he has to cancel last minute due to pain have been more than understanding. But Kerr tries to avoid doing that as much as possible. He wants to fulfill his schedule to the best of his ability. More than anything, it's because it brings him joy. The Fiesta Days Rodeo in Spanish Fork, Utah, was a bucket list item for Kerr. When he was first diagnosed with cancer, he had to cancel his appearance. Even in pain this year, he made it his mission to cross that rodeo off his list. He did and he was honored for it.

"It's like a dream that people have reached out," Kerr said. "The announcers, the crowd … standing ovations and the people com ing back to find us at the barns to talk to us. Some tell us about their experience with cancer. I've heard a lot of stories. "It's mind blowing to me that people have taken an interest in my cancer."

Kerr with his Dress Act of the Year buckle at the 2024 PRCA Awards Banquet. PRCA photo by Hailey Rae

Kerr has become an inspiration. Not only to those in the PRO RODEO community, but to his wife, Susan. As his pain has progressively wors ened due to the cancer, Kerr has been unable to travel in the family rig like he used to. Simple bumps in the road can cause immense pain, so he now flies to almost every rodeo he per forms at. He and Susan hired a driver for the rig. Susan rides along to look after the horses and dogs. Susan said she is proud of how her husband has battled his illness. He has never complained and never felt sorry for himself in the process. He takes things one step at a time, inspiring everyone around him along the way. "I don't know if it's the adrenaline coursing through his veins that just gives him that little more oomph to go do what he's got to do," Susan said. "I know it's helping him, because I see him first day to the last day. Every body else is getting tired and worn out, but by the last day, he's feeling so much better. It's just amazing to see,

and I'm just so proud of him." Kerr doesn't know when his PRORO DEO career will come to an end. It's not something he often thinks about. Every day he wakes up and assesses how he feels. That's how he decides to go about his day. In November 2024, Kerr was told by doctors he wouldn't live to the end of the year. He's surpassed that mark by a long shot. He said he knows it could be any day, week, month or longer that his body gives up the fight with cancer. But if he can still perform, he's going to. At the end of the day, bringing joy to rodeo fans fuels him to keep doing what he loves. "I tell committees all the time I'm a high-risk hire," Kerr said. "Something can happen any day. I just get a joy of when I get on my horse and get comfortable. The performance keeps me going."

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