ProRodeo Sports News - January 8, 2021

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Steve Gray

Tyler Bingham gets attention from Justin SportsMedicine team members after his Round 7 ride at the 2020 Wrangler NFR.

Kastner said. The injury is like others Kastner has bounced back from since his rookie year in 2007, he said. “I’m getting along pretty good now,” Kastner said Jan. 4. “I didn’t have to have surgery and just needed some time. I didn’t need any rehab or anything, but I will work it out on my own.” Kastner anticipates being ready to compete at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Feb. 11-28. Not everyone was as lucky though. Bull rider Parker McCown , 22, will be out of competition for about five-and-a-half months after suffering a right shoulder separation and right shoulder joint fracture in Round 4. “It’s all right, hopefully there aren’t too many rodeos between now and then and I’ll just get back as quick as I can,” McCown said, adding that he intends to compete full time in the summer. Although he placed second in Round 4 with an 88.5-point ride on Vold Rodeo Co.’s Bar Fly and went on to notch an 84-point ride in Round 5, the injury knocked McCown out of competition for the final four rounds. The Texas cowboy had surgery Dec. 16 and began physical therapy later that month. “I’ve just been in a brace and icing it,” McCown said. “It’s getting better.” Despite the rough ending, McCown was upbeat about winning $32,577 at his first NFR. “It was awesome, those were the best bull riders in the world, and they didn’t cut any slack and neither did the bulls,” McCown said. “I was blessed to get a few ridden and win a bit of money, and I’m looking forward to going back.” The more injuries a cowboy suffers, the harder it can be to estimate when he can resume competing. Bull rider Tyler Bingham , 28, isn’t sure when he will be competition-

ready, but he’s hoping for the middle of February. Bingham suffered a concussion, fractured sternum and multiple rib fractures while riding Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon in Round 7. “I broke nine ribs total, bruised my heart and both lungs, and broke my sternum,” Bingham said. “They’re all injuries either way, but this one is hard because I have to keep my heart rate down. It’s hard just sitting around because I don’t feel bad, but I get light-headed if my heart rate gets up.” By Round 7, Bingham had covered two bulls, placing third in Round 2 with 82 points. “It was going pretty terribly for me anyway, it was the worst NFR I ever had,” Bingham said. “It’s not fun being unable to finish, but I wasn’t having a good time down there.” The Utah cowboy is simply waiting to recover. “There’s not much to do besides take deep breaths to keep the pneumonia out,” Bingham said. “I’m bored.” Timed-event competitors aren’t immune to injury, so when the NFR and world titles are on the line it’s not uncommon for cowboys to seek out the best in the industry. Tie-down roper Tyson Durfey , 38, was experiencing numbness in his legs as the NFR approached, so he worked it out with Dr. Keith Kimberlin, the same chiropractor used by the Kansas City Chiefs. “I had some chronic back pain and disc issues causing my legs to go numb when driving, but I had enough prep time before the NFR to get healthy,” Durfey said. “No surgery needed, just strengthening my core, tons of stretching and working with some really good people got me in the right direction. Dr. Keith is (Chiefs quarterback) Patrick Mahomes’ private guy and one of the biggest reasons I got healthy.” The Texas cowboy is ready to compete in Odessa. “As long as I stretch the way I’m supposed to, there’s nothing to worry about,” Durfey said.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/8/2021

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