And when I say professional bull riding, I mean the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR), of course. The boys of the Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler (I’m not even kidding) kick off their season this weekend with the VERSUS Invitational (Jan. 6-7) at NYC’s Madison Square Garden. You can catch highlights Sunday on NBC at 2:30 p.m. A few reasons to tune in:
- No guilt! Contrary to popular belief, bulls don’t buck because their wee-wees are bound. According to the sport’s website: “The flank strap never covers or goes around a bull’s genitals, and no sharp or foreign objects are ever placed inside the flank strap to agitate the animal.” Apparently, wanting a man off your back that badly is just a genetic gift.
- No protection! The riders don’t wear cups. Again, I point to the PBR’s thorough site, which includes this fine (and gloriously awkward) illustration of bull riding equipment and the following testimony: “Hard to believe, but not one PBR athlete wears one! A cowboy will often wear a pair of tight spandex bicycle style shorts under his Wranglers, but no cup. Apparently wearing a cup during bull riding is just plain uncomfortable!” Also, it could throw off his balance and “feel.” … Or so I’ve been told.
- The “wrecks”! Damn, y’all. Seriously. You’ll see why the bull (I’m sorry, the animal athlete) gets 50 PERCENT of the score.
- The bulls’ names. Just a few favorites from the PBR’s list of the 50″rankest” beasts (that means the hardest to ride): Cooter, Dirty Harry,Evil Forces, Fender Bender, Holy Moly, Predator, and… Sunshine.
- Adriano Moraes.The three-time PBB World Champion (competing this weekend) likes towear pink shirts because they look good with his Brazilian skin tone. And “the Cowboy of God” also isn’t afraid to talk shop with Father Francis Mary on Life on the Rock.
- The pyrotechnics. Always festive.
- Dead bulls get eloquent eulogies. Here’s one press releaseissued just last week, for a retired animal athlete legend who passedaway at age 18: An excerpt: “Red Wolf was like the Jerry Rice ofbucking bulls,” saidTy Murray, PBR President. “The thing that made him special is that hewas great for a long time-longer than he should have been. He had apersonality and presence in the arena that endeared him to both fansand cowboys. When we had his retirement party, he got a standingovation,and I believe that was a tribute to his personality.”
Can I get a “Yee-Haw”?
See Also
Black Bull Bells