FORT WORTH, Texas - Cody Lambert was among several athletes inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame last weekend.

Following two days of ceremonies at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, Lambert said, "It was a nice surprise for me. It was a bigger deal then I thought it would be, and I had a great time."

Lambert, 50, had previously been inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor as well as the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Cody Lambert qualified for three PBR World Finals and qualified for the NFR seven times in bull riding and three times in saddle bronc.

During his career, he competed in bull riding and saddle bronc riding. He retired from competition at the conclusion of the 1996 World Finals, and is currently the PBR livestock director. He is best known for having played an instrumental role in the development of the protective vests now required of all bull riders, and as one of 20 cofounders of the PBR.

The Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, which previously had been located 45 miles south of Waco in the small town of Belton, honored 25 former competitors, bucking stock, events and people involved in the sport of rodeo.

This class included recipients who competed as far back as the 1940s.

"I saw some people who I hadn't seen in a long time," Lambert said, "some rodeo greats who are from or live in Texas."

Lambert, who was nominated by former PBR co-founder Ted Nuce, spoke on Saturday afternoon and shared stories about "characters" during his 15-minute long speech.

In addition to talking about his heroes and traveling partners, he spoke about the late Harley May, who was also among the 2012 honorees. May, who was a three-time World Champion steer wrestler, passed away four years ago the age of 82.

He and Lambert both attended Sul Ross State University. Following in the footsteps of one of his heroes, Lambert attended the Alpine, Texas, campus on a rodeo scholarship and recalled the back-to-back National Championships his team won in his final two seasons.

This was the first induction ceremony since the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame relocated. Plaques honoring every inductee are on display at the Cowtown Coliseum.

For more information, log onto www.texasrodeocowboy.com