Tuff Hedeman

He was born March 2, 1963 in El Paso, TX. Growing up as the youngest of seven children, he earned the nickname “Tough Nut” from horse trainer Tater Decker when his hand was caught in a pick up door and he never shed a tear. It was shortened to “Tuff” later on.

At the age of four, Richard “Tuff” Hedeman rode his first calf. He attended New Mexico High School and won the bull riding and All Around titles in 1980. When he finished high school, he attended Sul Ross State University and competed in team roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, and bull riding.

In 1983, Tuff turned pro and filled out his PRCA permit. Some other bull riders that Tuff traveled around with included Lane Frost, Cody Lambert, Clint Branger, and Ty Murray. In 1986, 1989, and 1991, Tuff won PRCA world titles. Also in 1986, Tuff married Tracey Stepp.

After passing $1,000,000 in career earnings in 1993, Tuff was injured by a neck injury at the NFR keeping him sidelined throughout all of 1994. Tuff’s final ride came in 1998. He had been thrown off of a bull, landed on his head, and herniated a disk in his neck that he had injured five years earlier. The following year, Tuff retired. He lives with his wife and their two sons in Morgan Mill, TX.