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Date Posted: Mon, Jan 29 2007, 15:28:10
Author: Tracy
Subject: Article including Ross Johnson from Amarillo


Wrecks' part of life on the back of a bull
By Lance Lahnert
lance.lahnert@amarillo.com
Amarillo-Globe

Stephenville's Harve Stewart, 19, has won three Professional Bull Riders events as a rookie. Stewart, who competed Saturday night at the PBR's Battle of the Bulls, said "wrecks" happen sooner or later, and most bull riders accept possible injury as part of the territory.

Professional bull riders travel thousands of miles a year to attend events all over the country.
They know one thing for sure will happen during those 12 months.

"It's not if, but when you get in a wreck,'' said 27-year-old Ross Johnson, of Alvord, one of the most highly respected pro bull riders in action Saturday night at the Professional Bull Riders Battle of the Bulls at the Amarillo National Center.

No, not a car wreck.

When 157-pound bull riders, like Johnson, find the wrong end of their eight seconds with a 1,500- to 2,000-pound snot-slinging animal, injuries occur that would send a normal person in a sprint to find another job.

"Wrecks are part of this job,'' said Johnson, who has won a little more than $400,000 in his eight-year career. "But they don't bother me. I'm on TV every week on OLN. I'm the one who is getting dragged around by my spur, around and around and around. I've made several great rides in my life, but I get in a crash and they won't leave it alone.''

Johnson's "crashes" have left him with an array of injuries.

Although Johnson says he is no different from any other bull rider in stacking up an injury list.

And what has Johnson endured?

"I've have had broken ribs, punctured a lung, shoulder surgery, arm surgery, tore my groin off the bone, an athletic hernia, and several concussions," Johnson said. "It's just like race car drivers. You know you are going to crash. It's just when is my crash coming up.''

Johnson, who has qualified for three PBR finals in Las Vegas, said he would spend every weekend riding bulls if travel allowed it. For instance, he spent Friday night winning the go-round in Johnson City, Tenn., before arriving Saturday in Amarillo.

"Getting on a bull is the biggest challenge in the world,'' Johnson said. "You have a 150-pound cowboy getting on a 2,000-pound bull. If you ride that bull for eight seconds and conquer that bull, there is no other greater feeling."

At 19, Harve Stewart was one of the youngest bull riders participating Saturday night.

Stewart is a native of Stephenville where he played high school football for the tradition-rich program. Stewart is on a roll and gaining respect as a PBR rookie having won three events.

"Bull riding is so fun,'' Stewart said. "You get to do something you like and they pay you really well. It's better than the average job. You get to pick your own hours to work."

Like football, Stewart knows an injury - or wreck - is always a distinct possibility.

"The wrecks are just part of the territory,'' Stewart said.

"I have had shoulder surgery. A broken leg. A lot of concussions. A wreck is going to happen sooner or later, you just hope it's not too serious.''

Johnson said despite the numerous bumps and bruises, he can't see himself doing anything else.

"My first ride when I was 10 was real quick," Johnson said. "I got on and hit the ground. But when I was 13, I learned to ride steers at junior rodeos. I could win 50 bucks for staying on a steer for six seconds.

"All my other buddies had to do chores around the house to get their money. I was the only kid in school with a wad of money. It was like I stole from my dad's wallet. I've been riding from that day on.

"After a crash, I haven't really ever thought of stopping. I don't want to get a real job."

Story Headline amarillo.com | More Sports 'Wrecks' part of life on the back of a bull 01/28/07
Copyright © 2004 AMARILLO GLOBE-NEWS


... I tried to give credit....

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Replies:

[> Re: Article including Ross Johnson from Amarillo -- Kris, Mon, Jan 29 2007, 16:28:00 [1]

Great article, Tracy, thanks so much for posting! I forwarded it to Ross' step-munster. : )

I should have scores and standings posted later this morning.


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