Bulls aren’t common in midtown Manhattan unless they’re grilled to perfection and served with a side of potatoes. (Downtown, on Wall Street, is another matter.) But this past weekend the bulls were alive and kicking as the Professional Bull Riders rode into New York City for the Versus Invitational.
Going in, I had few expectations. I’d never experienced a rodeo before. Once I watched a couple scenes from that Luke Perry movie 8 Seconds, but beyond that I was completely green. Fortunately, I was seated next to none other than Jets quarterback and rodeo enthusiast Chad Pennington, who was happy to keep me in the know.
For two hours, there was a never-ending line of spurred cowboys waiting their turn. Rider after rider mounted their respective bulls and despite the repetitive routine, I couldn’t get enough. Watching these maniacal men tethered to an angry 2,000 pound beast was nothing like Sunday sports I’m used to. One rider caught his hand in the reins and was left to flop around like a rag doll on fire. Another caught a hoof to the forehead and lost so much blood that I thought they were going to ask the crowd for donations. Some rode well past eight seconds while other were thrown off like they were trying to mount a lightening bolt. And the bulls! My god, the bulls! These animals were the size of Volkswagens, but released far more toxic emissions. They had the raw power to throw men ten feet in the air with a single buck.
To watch a mortal man try to ride these furious beasts felt like some sort of medieval form of entertainment, but it was also a truly awesome sight. And then the rider is thrown across the ring… And then some rodeo clowns come out of the woodwork to distract an already confused animal… And then Chad Pennington stands up and yells, Yeeeeehaaaahhh!!!”
Sound like a strange scene? It was, but one I completely recommend. I’m not saying follow the PBR tour, or Tivo every televised event, but just go to one rodeo. Watch these bull riders in person just once and you won’t regret it. No bull.
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