LAS VEGAS – When two-time World Champion Chris Shivers stepped up to the podium at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa to present the Sharon Shoulders Award to his wife, Kylie, at the PBR Heroes & Legends Celebration, he immediately overcome with emotion.

“Already,” he said of his tears to a round of applause. “We might have to watch that (tribute) video a little early.”

When it was Kylie’s turn to take the microphone and accept the award following said video, she didn’t fare much better.

“Growing up in a home where rodeo and bull riding was the No. 1 sport talked about, I never dreamed…” she began before tearing up. Turning to Chris, standing in the wings, she lamented, “I’m going to cry, too! We’re just a bunch of crybabies!”

She would know – when Chris was inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor in 2013, he shed quite a few tears through that induction speech as well.

It’s been a long road for the two PBR legends. They met in 1999, when Kylie was 16 and Chris was 19. That year, Kylie attended her first PBR World Finals, making her first trip to Las Vegas – and first trip ever on an airplane.

Twenty years later, it was her turn to take center stage.

Chris won his first world title the year before he and Kylie got married, in 2000, and won his second in 2003, the year their first son was born.

Chris continued riding bulls until retiring in 2012 after 412 qualified rides on the premier series and qualifying for 14 PBR World Finals. During that time, Kylie was a stay-at-home mom to Brand (now 16 years old) and their second son, Blayne (12). She took care of the kids, the home and the animals, and tried to travel with Chris as much as possible.

Daughter Bailey Jo joined the family almost two years ago and, after becoming a teacher following Chris’s retirement, Kylie once again resumed full-time mom duties.

“I never dreamed that I would be standing on this stage receiving an award in Sharon Shoulders’ honor,” Shivers said. “Even though I feel so undeserving of this award, I am beyond honored to be placed in a category with all of the previous recipients before me.”

The award was introduced by its namesake, Sharon Shoulders, who Shivers thanked as an example of the woman she strives to be. She also pointed out her own mother, on hand for the ceremony, as the woman that taught her the importance of faith, strength and grace.

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Shivers also took the time to speak to the wives of the current riders, encouraging them to continue standing by their husbands.

“Your behind-the-scenes work and encouragement of your husband is very important,” she said. “You play a huge role in his career, even though you may not feel like it at times. You are his glue when things fall apart, his encouragement when he doesn’t ride well, his caretaker when injuries take their toll, along with many other things.

“You wear a lot of hats, and I assure you that your selfless service to your marriage and family doesn’t go unnoticed.”

On this night, none of it went unnoticed, and Shivers got the recognition her husband has always known she deserves.

To finish his speech, Chris first received a round of applause as he once again teared up.

“I’ve never talked about my wife on a microphone,” he said. “Heck, I couldn’t talk about bull riding. I sure couldn’t talk about her. I love her a whole lot more.

“She’s an outstanding woman. She’s stood behind me from the word go. She’s never held me back from my dreams. There’s a lot of things out there that could’ve gotten away, and she never let it. She deserves this award more than you know.”