Flint Rasmussen Honored With Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award

Two years after being inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame , Flint Rasmussen is set to be honored as a member of the PBR's 28th Hall of Fame class during the Heroes & Legends Ceremony on July 30 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

As part of the ceremony, Rasmussen will receive the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of bull riding and rodeo throughout their careers.

Born Jan. 25, 1968, in Choteau, Montana, Flint Rasmussen built a career that would make him one of the most recognizable personalities in professional rodeo and bull riding. A standout athlete in football and track during high school, Rasmussen later attended the University of Montana Western, where he graduated with honors and earned degrees in history and mathematics.

Before entering the rodeo industry, Rasmussen worked as a schoolteacher in Havre, Montana. He joined the PRCA in 1994 as a rodeo clown and quickly became one of the sport's most decorated entertainers. Throughout his career, he earned eight PRCA Clown of the Year titles, seven Coors Man in the Can awards, and made eight appearances as a barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo beginning in 1998. He also worked the Canadian Finals Rodeo and many of North America's premier rodeos, including Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Calgary Stampede, the Reno Rodeo, Pendleton Round-Up, and the National Western Stock Show & Rodeo.

Rasmussen's influence extended beyond traditional rodeo. He became a staple of the PBR, appearing at 26 PBR World Finals and helping shape the entertainment side of the sport for more than two decades. Since 2004, he has hosted "Outside the Barrel" at the National Finals Rodeo and has built a following through his "According to Flint" podcast. In recent years, he has also served as a television host, PBR commentator, and sideline reporter.

Despite his accomplishments in the arena and on television, Rasmussen has often said his greatest pride comes from his family. He and his wife raised two daughters, Shelby and Paige, both of whom were members of Montana's 2021 Women's National Championship Rodeo Team. Rasmussen currently resides in Fort Worth, Texas.

Rasmussen is a family man, with two daughters who love rodeo just as much as he does. This was very evident this week in Abilene, TX, when Rasmussen surprised the youth rodeo athletes competing at the Texas High School Association Finals. 

Rasmussen shared a message that goes far beyond any arena. What it truly means to wear the cowboy hat: representing your values, honoring tradition, and remembering that how you treat others matters.

"The hat represents more than a look," Rasmussen told Texas High School Rodeo Association finalists. "It represents character, respect, and pride."

His message served as a reminder that the cowboy way isn't defined by what happens in the arena, but by the example set outside of it. 

His message resonated deeply with parents taking to the comments to share their appreciation.

"Flint Rasmussen, the best in the West and representing the Western way of life."

"Words spoken from the heart."

"A message that all can abide by, rodeo athletes or not."

"Flint and his family have lived rodeo and are true stewards of the sport."

His message served as a reminder that the cowboy way isn't defined by what happens in the arena, but by the example set outside of it.

Long before the awards, sold out arenas, and national recognition, Flint Rasmussen was a Montana kid with a gift for making people laugh. Over the course of his career, that gift helped transform him into one of the most recognizable and influential personalities in rodeo and professional bull riding.

When Rasmussen is honored in Oklahoma City, the recognition will extend far beyond the comedy, dancing, music, and entertainment that made him a fan favorite. The award acknowledges decades of contributions to the growth and promotion of bull riding and rodeo, as well as the lasting impact he has had on the sport and its athletes.