LAS VEGAS ― Seeing two-time World Champion ChrisShivers pause to take a few breaths as he held back tearswas a reminder of just how important the Heroes & Legendsceremony is for those being honored.
The annual World Finals, and much the celebration leading up toit, is about the anticipation of crowning yet another WorldChampion.
It's about what will happen in the days ahead.
It's also about paying witness to greatness.
However, Tuesday night's ceremony, which was held at the SouthPoint Hotel, Casino & Spa was the one moment reserved forlooking back at the past 20 years and paying tribute to thegreatness that was.
"I always get emotional with what I care about," saidShivers.
Chris Shivers speaks at the 2013 Ring of Honor inductionceremony at the Heroes and Legends Reunion. Photo by Andy Watson /BullStockMedia.com.
He and fellow Louisiana native Bubba Dunnbecame only the 37th and 38th men inducted into the prestigious PBRRing of Honor. Red Wolf, CottonRosser and Flavia Moraeswere also honored in a nearly two-hour long ceremony held in theGrand Ballroom.
Former greats Justin McBride and RossColeman along with Wacey Cathey,J.W. Hart and TaterPorter joined the likes of PBR co-founders TyMurray, Cody Lambert, JeromeDavis, David Fournier,Jim Sharp Daryl Mills and Cody Custer along with World Champions ranging fromMichael Gaffney and AdrianoMoraes to Mike Lee, GuilhermeMarchi, Kody Lostroh, RenatoNunes and Silvano Alves were all on handfor the occasion.
A contingency of this year's Top 35 qualifiers were also inattendance.
Among those competing in the 20th anniversary installment of theFinals were J.B. Mauney,Marco Eguchi, Douglas Duncan,Shane Proctor, Nathan Schaper andsome of Shivers' longtime fellow riders, including LukeSnyder and Brendon Clark, who bothannounced the 2013 season will be their last.
Tuesday's event was a proverbial "who's who" of the PBR's first20 years of existence.
Unfortunately, Robbie Herrington, who last owned Red Wolf― the recipient of this year's Brand of Honor award ― andhauled the legendary bovine during his final season, was unable toattend because of a death to a close friend of the family. Lambertand Hart spoke on the contractor's behalf.
RELATED: Red Wolf was the definition of longevity forbucking bulls
Hart noted Red Wolf, who was big with even bigger horns, "wasnot supposed to stand up to the test of time-and he did." Red Wolfwas 13 when he retired. By comparison, Lambert said the average ageof bulls competing at the Finals this year is six and that tworetiring bulls ― Charlie Bullware andCarrillo Cartel ― are nine yearsold.
Moraes said hearing the news of her SharonShoulders Award gave her reason to "pause and reflect" on her lifeas a bull rider's wife. In closing her speech, she said, "TodayI know for a fact I will be a bull rider's wife forever."
While many in the ballroom may have been waiting to hear fromShivers and Dunn, Rosser was clearly acknowledged for his legendarystatus as an innovator and pioneer in the sport of rodeo. He wasgiven the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award.
Murray said Rosser was "one of the few who believed in us" when20 riders voted to invest $1,000 each to form the PBR back in April1992.
Rosser agreed.
"I believed in the bull riders, I really did," said Rosser, whonoted that prior to the PBR riders had long been underpaid andunderappreciated despite selling tickets at the gate.
RELATED: Cotton Rosser was the pioneer ofshowmanship
He added, "It's great being up here on stage with SharonShoulders and all these great legends. It doesn't get any betterthan that."
It was a night to remember for Dunn, who traveled to Las Vegaswith 30 friends and family members.
Jerome Davis referred to Dunn as a "goodcowboy," who could spur any bull he got on.
Lambert said Dunn never talked about his bull riding. Instead helet his riding do the talking.
"He's a role model without saying a word," added Lambert, whohad no idea how true his closing statement would be when Dunn saidlittle more than, "I'm very appreciative and I'm honored."
RELATED: Bubba Dunn and his rise to PBR fame
After qualifying for a PBR record 15 World Finals, Shivers traveled back to Vegas for a 16th time,only this time it was for the Ring of Honor.
Never one to talk or boast about himself, Shivers said it's notabout his accomplishments but rather about recognizing everyone,including his parents, wife and children, who gave him theopportunity and helped him achieve his goals.
"I appreciate anybody who had anything to do with it," hesaid.
Hart concluded, "The founders built this deal for guys likeChris Shivers."
Follow Keith Ryan Cartwright on Twitter @PBR_KRC.