BUTCH MYERS

Steer Wrestler

Inducted 2026

Butch Myers grew up in a rodeo family. He and his sisters competed in Little Britches and High School Rodeo, and he won his first saddle at age 11. He continued on to compete in college rodeo for Colorado State University. Myers won the NIRA World Champion Steer Wrestling title in 1968. He bought his PRCA card in 1969, but life on the road did not mesh well with his academic goals. Myers chose to forgo his rodeo career to complete his Master of Science degree from Kanas State University.

During his time away from the PRCA, Myers taught high school, built a 700-acre ranch, and raised three kids – Rope, Tygh, and Cash. He also continued to rodeo in amateur rodeos. His commitment to improving his technique led to the building of the “Rope and Tygh for Cash” arena on his ranch and the development of the “Steer Saver.” A mechanical steer that could be pulled behind a lawn mower allowing contestants to practice the fundamentals of steer wrestling without the need for live steers.

In 1980, Myers decided it was time to reinstate his PRCA card and try making rodeo a full-time career. The year started off with wins in Odessa and San Antonio. The year continued well for Myers and by the last round of the National Finals, he had to throw his steer in less than 14 seconds to become world champion. His time of 6.5 seconds secured the $12,500 for second in the steer wrestling average and secured the World Title for the 35-year-old cowboy.

Myers qualified for 11 National Finals Rodeos between 1980 and 1997, qualifying for both the tie-down roping and steer wrestling in 1989. He won the Steer Wrestling Average in 1986 with a record time of 44.3 seconds on 10 steers. He would break that record in 1997 with a time of 43.3 seconds at the age of 52 for his second NFR Average title.

Throughout his life, Myers was a consummate teacher, holding schools and clinics at his ranch and across the country. He was a pioneer of using video to improve his and his students’ performance, often reviewing taped of runs with students to point out areas of improvement.

World Championship: 1 (1980 steer wrestling)

Born on November 13, 1945 in Denver, Colorado

Died on July 24, 2024 in Athens, Texas