JJ Hampton’s impressive career in rodeo is met by her passion for her family and community. Hard-working and naturally competitive with an innate talent for roping, she propelled to the top of the sport, where she has maintained a remarkable career spanning several decades.
Born and raised in Stephenville, Texas, Hampton grew up immersed in cowboy culture. She insisted that her father enter her in a rodeo at only four years old. Her father, Johnny Wayne, a professional roper, not only taught her, but ultimately passed down his love for Rodeo. In these early years, she also learned the value of hard work from her mother Barbara, a successful realtor. She would later follow her mother’s footsteps into the real estate business, creating her own thriving company that is deeply respected in the Stephenville community.
Hampton has garnered 17 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) World Champion titles since 1994 in All Around Cowgirl, Tie-down Calf Roping, Breakaway Calf Roping, and Team Roping Header. Nearly three decades later, she earned the WPRA National Championship Breakaway title. Among her many championships, she has nine United Professional Rodeo Association titles, two United Professional Stand United titles, twelve Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association titles, and two Extreme Calf Roping Champion titles, all for Breakaway. She has been inducted into several halls of fame, including the Tarleton State University Rodeo Hall of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, and the United Professional Rodeo Association Hall of Fame.
Hampton is deeply involved in her community, beyond competition and real estate. She produces the Johnny Wayne Hampton Memorial Roping in honor of her late father with proceeds benefiting multiple causes, including awarding scholarships to Tarleton State University students. She and her son, Kason, became actively involved in the Feeding America program called Backpack Buddies, which works with local food banks to ensure that school age children and their families have fresh groceries for weekends and school breaks. The two of them have raised nearly $70,000 for the program.
