Throwback: Looking at ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper’s Career

Roy Cooper created a legacy for himself inside the arena that’s second to none in the sport of rodeo.

Cooper developed into one of the most dominant ropers in the history of the sport, earning the nickname “Super Looper.” In 2000, he became the first PRCA cowboy to surpass $2 million in career earnings.

Over his lengthy career he captured eight PRCA World Championships, which included six in tie-down roping (1976, 1980-1984), one in steer roping (1983) and one all-around crown (1983). In 1983, he became just the fourth cowboy in ProRodeo history to capture the rare rodeo triple crown.

Cooper wasted no time making his name known in the sport of rodeo. In his first season as a professional, he not only won Rookie of the Year honors, but won his first tie-down roping world title. Three years later, in 1979 he was inducted into the inaugural class of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

His ProRodeo career lasted 37 seasons, with his last year of competition in 2013. Over that stretch he qualified to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeos 19 times in tie-down roping and 13 times to the National Finals Steer Roping.

Roy’s sons Clint, Tuf, and Clif made history in 2010 when all three brothers qualified for the Wrangler NFR in the same event in the same year. At that time, they became just the third set of brothers to ever accomplish the feat.

Cooper’s $2,099,629 in earnings still sits in the top 40 for the most money won in a ProRodeo career.

Courtesy of PRCA