ProRodeo Sports News - April 29, 2022

PRORODEO CONTRACT PERSONNEL

Award-winning bullfighter recovering from broken leg Comeback Trail PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Dusty Tuckness, the 10-time PRCA Bullfighter of the Year, gets a bull away from a cowboy during Round 4 of the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

BY JOLEE JORDAN Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he pain was very real. But it wasn’t what hurt the most according to Dusty Tuckness. The 10-time PRCA Bullfighter of the Year looked down at his left leg, knowing it was broken after Sankey ProRodeo and PhenomGenetics bull Bouchon stepped on him as he helped Braden Richardson escape following his Round 9 ride at the 2021Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge and knew it was a major injury. “Throughout my career, I’ve been able to tough it out,” Tuckness said. “Fight through the pain. “But what hurt the most when I looked down was more emotional ... knowing I couldn’t shake this one off, tell Justin Sportsmedicine, ‘I’m ok’ and tough it out,” Tuckness said of that night, Dec. 10 at theThomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. What looked like any, almost ordinary save from a guy many call the G.O.A.T. of bullfighting, turned into a freak accident when the bull’s front

hoof came down on Tuckness’ lower leg, breaking both the tibia and fibula, almost surely ensuring he’d miss half of the next season. It was Tuckness’ 129th

performance working at the Wrangler NFR, a testament to the talent of the man and his grit in a profession that will mentally and physically test the fiercest of competitors. “It’s been a roller coaster,” Tuckness said of his recovery. After having surgery while still in Vegas, he felt, and saw, movement in the leg a couple weeks after returning home. The bones hadn’t been lined up properly and healing was going to be severely impacted without another surgery. “It’s not what I wanted to hear,” he said. “It was supposed to be healing, ready to get to rehab but after four weeks they went back in and put a bigger rod and supporting screws.” The injury and setback could have sent many to the couch, understandably putting thoughts of physical exertion to the back burner.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/29/2022

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