Background
He is of Swedish descent on his father"s side.
He is of Swedish descent on his father"s side.
After high school, he attended Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.
Hedeman filled his PRCA permit at one rodeo in 1983 as a bronc rider. He was known for riding bulls that often had not been ridden. He qualified for eleven NFRs.
A neck injury at the National Finals Rodeo in 1993 kept him out of the arena for the entire year of 1994.
In 1994, he was portrayed by Stephen Baldwin in the film 8 Seconds about the life of Lane Frost. He was actually a stunt double for Baldwin.
Hedeman was instrumental in starting the Professional Bulletin Riders. He just missed winning the PBR world title in 1996, losing to Owen Washburn as he came in second.
He then finished third in the world during the 1997 PBR season.
His last ride was at the PBR Bud Light Cup Series event in Odessa, Texas, in 1998, when he landed on his head after getting thrown off and herniated a disc in his previously injured neck. After some consideration, he officially retired in 1999. He was leading the PBR World Standings in 1998 at the time of his injury.
Hedeman is one of only seven riders to have ever ridden Bodacious, with the stand-out ride being a 95-point ride at a 1993 Bulletin Riders Only (BRO) event in Long Beach, California.
However, his more familiar encounter with him happened in the short-go of the 1995 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was jerked down by him upon exiting the chutes and struck his face on his head, shattering every major bone in his face.
He managed to walk out of the arena, albeit a bloody mess. He required several hours of reconstructive surgery for his face, and less than two months later, he was riding again.
At the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) later that year, he drew Bodacious again, this time in round 7 of the NFR. He decided to turn him out – getting off of him when he left the chute.
He then tipped his hat to him and received a standing ovation for his decision. Hedeman is the current ambassador for CBR after abruptly leaving the PBR in 2004 for undisclosed reasons (Ty Murray has since replaced him as the PBR"s president under much controversy which ended their longtime friendship). He also adds color commentary to CBR bull riding events broadcasts on television
He spends his free time traveling to bull ridings and team ropings.
In April 2010, Hedeman was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. Hedeman is sponsored by Resistol Hats, Panhandle Slim Shirts, Cinch Jeans, and Lucchese Boots.
At Sul Ross, he was a member of the rodeo team, competing in bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding.