Ty Pozzobon’s Legacy: Changing the Narrative for Mental Health in Western Sports

Photo by Covy Moore, courtesy of Ty Pozzobon Foundation

In the rodeo world, most people know the name “Ty Pozzobon.” By the age of 25, Ty had qualified for the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) three times, earned the title of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Canadian Champion in 2016, and finished fourth in the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada.

However, as with many bull riders, Ty’s success came with more than his fair share of injuries—including multiple concussions.

Ty poses with his family after a PBR Canada win. Photo courtesy of Ty Pozzobon Foundation

"Ty was always determined and full of life,” shared Leanne Pozzobon, Ty’s mother. “His love for rodeo was unmatched, but it came with its own set of challenges that many didn't see."

While broken bones are commonly treated with surgery and other medical assistance, brain trauma can often lead to unseen ailments that cause far more lasting damage. In Ty’s case, those repeated head injuries led to overwhelming mental health struggles that ultimately caused Ty to take his own life in January 2017.

Ty doing what he loved most at the 2014 Calgary Stampede. Photo courtesy of Ty Pozzobon Foundation

In the midst of their grief, the Pozzobon family arranged for extensive post-mortem research on Ty’s brain, confirming he had suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This diagnosis marked the first confirmed case of CTE in a bull rider, opening doors for increased awareness around mental health in the Western community.

Continuing the legacy

In honor of Ty’s life, Ty’s friends and family joined together to form the Ty Pozzobon Foundation, a Canadian-based non-profit seeking to protect and support the health and well-being of Western lifestyle participants inside and outside the arena.

"Ty's journey shows us the importance of addressing mental health,” revealed TPF President Tanner Byrne. “We need to make sure that athletes know it's okay to ask for help."

Supporters of TPF with Ty Pozzobon merch at a Christmas market in Ty’s hometown of Merritt. Photo courtesy of Ty Pozzobon Foundation

TPF extends its outreach through educational programs, support groups, and financial assistance aimed at helping athletes manage both the physical and mental demands of rodeo. By providing these resources and fostering an environment where mental health is prioritized, the foundation hopes to prevent the tragedy that ended Ty’s life from taking the lives of other Western athletes.

Changing the Narrative

Following Ty’s untimely passing, Western Sports Foundation—then known as Rider Relief Fund—launched initiatives to offer mental health resources to rodeo athletes.  Since then, resources available through WSF have grown to include a robust support network that ensures no athlete feels isolated or unsupported, no matter where they are in their mental health journey.

Ty Pozzobon and his father, Luke, prepping for Ty to ride. Photo by Covy Moore, courtesy of Ty Pozzobon Foundation

The work of both WSF and TPF are a testament to Ty's enduring impact, fostering positive change in the rodeo world and ensuring that his story inspires action.

We believe mental health deserves the same attention as any physical injury, and reaching out is a crucial step in changing the narrative for all athletes. Each member of the rodeo community plays a critical role in championing mental health and safety, because every voice matters.

To learn more about Ty’s story and the work of the Ty Pozzobon Foundation, tune in to the latest episode of WSF’s Beyond the Rodeo or visit typozzobon.com.