Ben Johnson Memorial Award
A California cowboy born in 1938, Jack Roddy decided early in life to be a rodeo champion. While attending California Polytechnic Institute, he rodeoed on the college circuit, in 1959 taking the World Champion Intercollegiate All-Around title as well as the steer-wrestling crown. Roddy entered his first professional contest in the mid-1950s.
A versatile performer, Jack Roddy worked every event except steer roping. By 1966, after a decade of success in the arena, he had achieved his ambition. In that year he earned the RCA steer-wrestling crown, and he repeated the feat in 1968. Over the years, Roddy had invested his winnings in a variety of businesses in the San Francisco-San Jose area, and after capturing his second title, he retired from full-time competition.
Since leaving the arena Jack Roddy has produced rodeos and contracted stock for California rodeos. Still roping and bulldogging on the senior circuit, in 1991 and 1992 he won the NOTRA steer wrestling championship. A successful real estate man and rancher, Jack Roddy lives in Brentwood, California.
