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Eight seconds is a long time...
Johnny Luse / Sports Editor
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity of watching the PBR rodeo when it came into town. I must say that it was a very interesting sporting event. Now for those of you who know nothing about Bull Riding, like I do, I would encourage you to go and watch it sometime whenever possible.
I made the mistake of stereotyping this event as a bunch of rednecks, just hop around on some bulls, with no real organization what so ever.
But I was dead wrong. These events are well put together, and I must say that it would take a lot of courage for anyone to get on a two-ton bull and hold on for eight seconds.
When we first arrived there, I had the privilege of obtaining a VIP Pass, and had the ability of going back stage and meeting the riders as well as the bulls.
Now, when you go to one of these events, you think that the bulls are about stupid and all they have to do is just kick around and then run back into the chute.
Well, while sitting where I was, you came to appreciate how smart those bulls really were. These guys knew when they were supposed to move, where they were supposed to go and who was supposed to ride them.
As far as the riders go, they had to be on some serious crack to get on that thing. Hell, I watched three guys get their jaws broken, one guy get his rib cage cracked open, and another guy get thrown about 12 feet in the air, only to land on his face and not get up. These guys either have guts to do this, or they are stupid as hell.
Now I will have to admit, this is probably one the hardest things that I could ever imagine doing, simply because these guys are the professional riders and only about ten of the 40 could last the full eight seconds.
It was definitely an adventure sitting there watching these men try and get the best of a two-ton animal, and when one of the riders finally did make it the full eight seconds, well, that was such a rarity that he got the standing ovation.
This was definitely the most interesting sporting event that I have ever been to, and I must say that I would like to attend another one, and I invite all of you who have never been to one to attend.
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