2025 Ted Weise Memorial Award Recipient: Cody Custer

Photo by Kaycie Timm

In the book of rodeo legends, the name Cody Custer stands out. As the 1992 PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, a Professional Bull Riders and Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association Hall of Fame inductee, and a man of faith, Custer has used his influence both in and out of the arena for good.

Now, he’s adding one more title to his list of accolades as the 2025 Western Sports Foundation Ted Weise Memorial Award winner. This honor that recognizes not just his accomplishments in the sport, but his enduring impact on the Western community.

Cowboy from Day One

Custer’s story is one rooted deep in cowboy tradition and Western heritage.

“As far back as I can remember, I've wanted to be a cowboy,” Custer recalls. “I went on my first round up when I was four years old.”

At just five years old, he got on his first calf, and that moment sparked a lifelong passion.

Though he experimented with different rodeo events, Custer eventually found his calling as a bull rider. 

Photo courtesy of Cody Custer

“Bull riding was really good to me,” he said. “In a lot of ways, it's a tough way to make a living, but I had really good times.”

And “good” may be an understatement. With grit, talent, and relentless drive, Custer rose through junior rodeo, high school, and into the pro ranks, competing in both the PRCA and PBR. He remembers borrowing $500 from his dad to buy his PRCA card—an investment that launched a 21-year professional career.

World Champion Dreams

Custer’s determination paid off in 1992, when he achieved his dream of becoming a World Champion Bull Rider. But for him, the gold buckle was only part of the story. 

“More than anything, it’s the people I got to meet along the way,” he reflects. “It’s not all the awards you win. It’s about the camaraderie, the people that you meet, and the relationships that I still have today.”

That humility and perspective became defining traits throughout his career. Even after his world title, Custer never lost sight of what mattered most. 

“When you win your world title, about two weeks later, you’re not the champ, you’re the former champ,” he says. “I’ve always tried to be humble about what’s happened and give the credit to God.”

Honoring the Legacy

Custer’s career was decorated with accolades, but his values stayed grounded through it all. In 2017, he was inducted into the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Hall of Fame, and in 2019 into the PBR Hall of Fame. He points to those honors as moments not just for himself, but for those who supported him. 

Photo courtesy of Cody Custer

“My mindset with getting stuff like that is not putting the focus on myself, but the people that helped get me there,” Custer explains. “A lot of it was my family and the sacrifices they made.”

His life today reflects that same commitment to others. Custer spends much of his time leading bull riding clinics across the country, helping young athletes hone their skills both inside and outside the arena. 

“I love helping young guys and seeing them succeed,” he shares. “More than anything it’s just about being a great human. At the end of the day, that’s all we have.”

Shaped by Faith

Faith has played a central role in Custer’s journey, particularly through his relationship with Ted and Linda Weise. Known for their ministry in the rodeo world, the Weises were instrumental in guiding Custer during pivotal moments in his life.

“Ted and Linda were just a huge influence on my life as a young believer,” he says. “Ted was never a judgmental type of guy. He had some good advice, but if you didn’t take it, it didn’t bother him—he was just there to serve.”

Photo courtesy of Cody Custer

“Ted made me understand that you can still be a tough cowboy and a lover of Jesus,” he shares. “When I was young and trying to understand this walk with Christ, Ted was there a lot. I feel like I took a lot from how he approached people. It’s not always about being a great Christian—it’s about being a good human.”

Ted Weise Memorial Award

Because of that history, being recognized with the 2025 Ted Weise Memorial Award carries deep meaning for Custer. The award, presented annually by Western Sports Foundation, honors individuals whose lives reflect Ted Weise’s legacy of mentorship, service, and faith.

“This is really an honor to receive,” Custer says. “Ted touched a lot of people in the world of pro rodeo and beyond. I’ve tried to live my life that way, being a good influence on people around me. I want to be that kind of guy that when I’m gone, I’m still making an impact on people that came into contact with me.”

Supporting the Next Generation

Custer is quick to point out the importance of organizations like Western Sports Foundation in ensuring that today’s athletes have the support they need. Rodeo doesn’t come with the same safety nets as other professional sports. 

“It’s hard to get any kind of insurance if you’re a rodeo cowboy, so a lot of guys get injured and don’t have the means to pay bills while they’re down,” Custer reveals. “Western Sports Foundation has jumped on board to help.

Photo courtesy of Cody Custer

Beyond financial support, WSF also helps athletes address concussions, mental health challenges, and the difficult transitions that come with life after rodeo. 

“I know several guys that have benefited directly from Western Sports Foundation,” Custer notes. “We as cowboys won’t always ask for help, but it doesn’t mean we don’t need it.”

A Lasting Legacy

Cody Custer’s journey is one of resilience, humility, and service. From a young cowboy with a dream to a world champion, Hall of Famer, and now the Ted Weise Memorial Award winner, his story embodies the Western way of life.

For Western Sports Foundation, honoring Cody Custer means honoring the values that make the Western sports community strong: perseverance, humility, faith, and family. And for Custer, the award isn’t the end of the story—it’s just another opportunity to give back to the sport and people he loves.

Watch the video below to learn more about Cody Custer.