Hey Toshguy,
No one can rodeo the tough events (broncs, bulls, bulldogging, and even calf roping) for twenty years without getting beat up. I would think it is more physically brutal than professional football, and there are not too many of those guys who last twenty years. If he started at age seventeen, that would put him at thirty-seven years of age and a bit old to keep getting hammered.
When Jeff was injured and then returned to his home, I had the impression he was done with rodeoing and was planning on getting a "real" job. After taking the job at the ranch, I think he was seduced by the idea of getting back to the rodeo by coaching Wes. He no longer had the glory of competition, but he was earning money and not getting busted up.
As Jeff went along for the ride with Wes and Louise, I think he truly grew to care very much about both of them. Sure, he was attracted to Louise. Who would not have been attracted to her? But I think he really cared about Wes as a friend and as Wes' mentor.
When Wes finally lost his way and allowed the glory of his rodeo success to make him turn his back on what he and Louise originally wanted, it was then that Jeff asked Louise if she still wanted to stick with Wes. When Louise said she wanted Jeff, she also asked Jeff to get Wes out of the rodeo glitz and back to their original goals. When Wes called Jeff a has-been and too afraid to make his own money by rodeoing, I think Jeff decided to try to get Wes back on track by entering the rodeo and hopefully showing Wes that Wes' success was not quite as great as Wes thought it was.
I think Jeff's intention was to save Wes and Louise's marriage and plans for their future. Without a doubt, I am sure Jeff wanted to experience some of the glory from his salad days, but if he had not died, I think that would have been his final rodeo swan song. Yes, he may have stayed on the circuit in a supporting role, but I don't think he would have done any more of the dangerous events.
If Jeff had not died, perhaps Wes would have taken a second look as where he was and decided to buy the ranch with Louise. Perhaps they would have bought the ranch and taken Jeff with them. With the death of Jeff, however, Wes was all the more driven to recognizing what he had with Louise and buying their ranch before they lost everything by continuing to chase the rodeo dream. It was a great story for me.
Best wishes,
Dave Wile
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