Shoulders was a 16 time world champion cowboy. Success began at his first rodeo at age 14 and continued all though high school; little did he know that seven world bull riding, four world bareback riding and five all-around champion titles awaited him during his 25 year career. Shoulders was a charter member of the Cowboy Hall of Fame, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. He remains the only cowboy ever inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame.