Late B.C. bull rider Ty Pozzobon to be inducted into Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame

WARNING: This story contains discussion of suicide.

Nearly eight years after Ty Pozzobon's death, the Merritt, B.C., bull rider will be inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday, having left a lasting impact on the profession.

Pozzobon died by suicide in 2017. Doctors confirmed he had the first case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy — a disease linked to repeated brain injury that can cause depression — in a professional bull rider, prompting other bull riders to consider their safety and well-being, some choosing to wear helmets, while competing.

"The impact he's had on rodeo and bull riding not only in Canada but all over North America is unbelievable," Pozzobon's longtime friend and fellow bull rider Tanner Gerlitz said.

"A guy could get knocked out and get on his re-ride a few minutes later. Now there's concussion protocols and … concussion testing and the sports medicine guys are taking it more serious. The guys that are struggling are reaching out now, it's not just the tough old cowboy way anymore."

Pozzobon was a rising star in the North American rodeo circuit when he died at just 25 years old. His family said he suffered "numerous" concussions in his bull-riding career, and the post-mortem examination of his brain revealed chronic traumatic injury.

His mother, Leanne Pozzobon, said the hall of fame nod solidifies his place in pro rodeo history — as someone who made a difference.

It's also a tribute to the community of Merritt, where Pozzobon grew up.

"Ty loved this town — he always acknowledged he was from Merritt and I know those fans will be there supporting us as a family and they're going to be proud of Ty getting this award," Leanne Pozzobon said.

Hall of fame board member Amber Hay said that as someone whose family has been deeply embedded in the rodeo world for generations, she's pleased to see Pozzobon's influence on the sport recognized.

"I come from a long generation of rodeo cowboys and the changes that it's made with the concussion protocols is huge," she said. "It went from the generation of my dad getting concussed three times in a weekend and just kept getting back on, to now they actually think about it and they actually take the time that they need."

Pozzobon will be inducted into the hall of fame at the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m. following team roping.

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