2024 NFR Icons Inductees
Legends of the Arena: Celebrating Three Extraordinary Champions
The Thomas & Mack Center has been home to countless incredible moments in rodeo history, but few athletes have left as indelible a mark as Joe Beaver, Speed Williams, and Rich Skelton. In 2024, these three extraordinary champions will be honored as Vegas NFR Icons, each bringing a legacy that has helped shape the very soul of professional rodeo.
Joe Beaver’s story begins with the NFR’s arrival in Las Vegas itself. In 1985, as a fresh-faced 20-year-old from Victoria, Texas, Beaver arrived at the Thomas & Mack Center for its first year hosting the NFR. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary: not only did he claim the tie-down roping world title and PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year honors, but he went on to build a career that would define excellence in the sport. His resume speaks volumes: five world tie-down roping titles and three world all-around championships. Even when injuries sidelined him in 1999, Beaver’s connection to the sport remained unbroken – he simply switched roles, becoming a television commentator for ESPN before returning triumphantly in 2000 to win his final all-around title. His mastery of the arena was so complete that the Thomas & Mack became known as “the house that Joe built.”
The team roping duo of Speed Williams and Rich Skelton brings a different kind of magic to the Vegas NFR Icons roster. Their partnership, which began in 1997, produced one of the most remarkable runs of dominance the sport has ever seen: eight consecutive World Championships from 1997 to 2004. The numbers tell an astounding story – between them, they took 64 victory laps at the Thomas & Mack Center. Williams claimed 28 go-round victories, while Skelton secured 36. In 1999 alone, they won six go-rounds at a single NFR, showcasing a level of excellence that many believe may never be matched.

What makes their story even more remarkable is their individual journeys to this partnership. Williams, who hailed from Jacksonville, Florida, started as a heeler before revolutionizing the heading game with a new style of swinging the rope in the box. Meanwhile, Skelton, from Electra, Texas, made his first NFR appearance in 1990 heeling with Tee Woolman before finding his perfect partnership with Williams. Together, they didn’t just win – they transformed their event with innovation, precision, and unwavering dedication.
Each of these champions received a 14-inch commemorative bronze statue and witness the unfurling of their banners in the rafters of the Thomas & Mack Center.
But perhaps what makes these honors most meaningful is how they reflect the very essence of rodeo excellence. Beaver’s journey from rookie sensation to seasoned champion, his resilience in the face of injury, and his continued contribution to the sport as a mentor and commentator exemplify the complete horseman. Williams and Skelton’s partnership demonstrates how individual talent, when combined with trust and shared dedication, can elevate a sport to new heights.
As Beaver himself reflected, “Looking back, the greatest move for rodeo was bringing the NFR to Vegas.” Now, nearly four decades later, these three legends will be permanently enshrined in the arena where they made so much history. Their banners in the rafters won’t just represent their victories – they’ll stand as inspiration for every young cowboy and cowgirl who looks up and dreams of following in their footsteps.
For Williams and Skelton, being honored together feels exactly right. As Skelton noted, “We both had the same goals at the same time in our lives.” And for Beaver, this honor represents the perfect culmination of a career that helped define an era: “Being honored as a Vegas NFR Icon is the final icing on the cake for me.”
These three champions didn’t just compete at the highest level – they elevated their events, inspired generations, and helped make the Thomas & Mack Center the ultimate destination for rodeo excellence. Their recognition as Vegas NFR Icons ensures that their contributions to the sport will be remembered and celebrated for generations to come.