When Tuf Cooper announced after the Mandan Rodeo that he was ending his 2025 season, the news resonated deeply across the rodeo world. The three-time PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion is no stranger to the highs and lows of the rodeo road, but this season carried a different kind of weight, one marked not only by loss and legacy. 

In Puyallup, Wash., Cooper sustained an injury that made the rest of the year a challenge in itself. Tuf shared on his social media, “I tried to tough it out, but it wasn’t getting better and I needed to be 100% healthy to make the finals these last few weeks. I’m just not there mentally or physically.”

Behind those tough words lies a story much more important than standings or gold buckles. Earlier this year, Tuf unexpectedly lost his father, the legendary Super Looper Roy Cooper, an eight-time world champion and ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee who left an unbelievable mark on the sport.

Roy's influence will continue to echo in Tuf’s career and in the careers of countless ropers who admired him, his roping style, and his career. In his post, Tuf reflected on conversations with his dad. “Before my dad passed, we had talked about me taking the summer easy and staying home more. He understood the ups and downs of rodeo better than anybody. He had taken years off rodeoing for injuries and he understood the mental side as well—that you had to want it bad to be out on the road all summer long.” 

“The reason I ended up leaving for the summer this year was because my dad passed and I didn’t wanna be here at home,” the 16 time NFR Qualifier admitted. “What I found out was you can’t run from grief. It met me at the gates of Cheyenne—his favorite rodeo—every all-night drive that I didn’t get to call him to talk about my runs, and the times I needed reminded who I am in the arena.”

While walking through unimaginable grief, his talent and love for the sport did not fade. He picked up titles at big rodeos this year including the Cody Stampede, the first ever Music City Rodeo, San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and Rodeo Austin. He closes this year early with over $106,000 in earnings still, bringing his career total over 3.6 million! Currently ranked No. 18 in the world standings, he finished just outside of another NFR Qualification. 

Though still one of the toughest calf ropers traveling, Tuf right now is choosing to focus on what matters; that is health, healing, and family.

“Only God knows the path he has set for me, and I believe he is using this time in my life to tell me to slow down and get myself back.” Tuf finished his heartfelt post saying, “Thank you to all my fans for the encouraging words throughout the year, to each of my sponsors for always sticking with me throughout my career. To my wife Tiffany and our daughter Tru Fashion—you two make life worth living, and it’s time to start living it.” 

Roy Cooper taught his son that rodeo isn’t just about horsepower or rope but it’s about heart too. In stepping back when needed, Tuf may be proving that lesson in the most profound way possible, while honoring a special man who changed the sport of rodeo forever.