ProRodeo Sports News - June 25, 2021

such as rent and grocery bills, costs that aren’t covered by medical or accident insurance. Assistance awards are based on the severity of injury, the number of dependents and the applicant’s financial situation. The Fund also takes into consideration the individual’s involvement in and/or contribution to the sport of professional rodeo. In Berry’s case, his severe back injury required fusion surgery and an estimated time of six to eight months before he could return to action. At first, Berry wasn’t keen on accepting help, wanting to earn what he could, but then took a step back and saw the bigger picture. “I knew very little about the ( JCC) Fund, but I knew what it was about, helping cowboys who make a living in professional rodeo,” Berry said. “It was a matter of me returning to work to make money too early or accepting what the Fund can do and have them help me out so I can focus on my recovery instead. I can’t thank them enough; they’re the reason I got to stay home and enjoy life and do the things that were necessary to still come back this season.” Berry, who had surgery to fuse the T12 and L1 vertebrae Jan. 27 in Austin, Texas, and faced eight weeks in a brace and months of physical therapy and exercise, had originally scheduled to make his return at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo. But that was pushed back into early August, where he’ll make his first ride at the Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo. “I entered Reno, but that was before I had a CT scan (on June 1) to see if my doctor would give me the thumbs up or thumbs down on returning then,” Berry said. “My doctor wanted me to wait 60 more days since I have four screws and two rods from the surgery, and I don’t want this to give me any problems for the rest of my life. Even though the healing was going fantastically, he really wanted that bone to finish the process, to cement it around the spine. So, if anything were to break, it wouldn’t break in that one spot. It could potentially cost me my career if I came back too early.” Berry isn’t the only cowboy who has benefited recently from the generosity of the JCCF.

“I was struggling to make ends meet and am pretty grateful they stepped up and helped me through the months I was out with my shoulder injury,” said bull rider Tim Bingham, who had surgery in November 2020 to repair ligament damage and a fractured shoulder socket from an awkward landing earlier in the season at Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s good that people understand how hard the sport of rodeo is. When they donate to the ( JC) Crisis Fund, it’s not just free money being given away. It’s real people with real-life issues who are using it to try to get by. Because of them, we’re able to get back to our sport. Without them, we’d have to change our life completely, maybe not getting into rodeo again.” Berry isn’t watching the race to qualify for the Wrangler NFR too closely but figures he’s just a few clutch rides away from rapidly ascending the standings when he returns for the final two months of lucrative events. Heading into July, Berry was 40th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, just more than $14,000 out of the No. 15 spot. “I know roughly what it will take to be in the Top 15 by October 1,” Berry said. “I like keeping up with my buddies and love seeing them kick butt. All that does is add fuel to my fire. I’m not going to worry about the standings, but whenever I come back, I need to be mentally and physically ready to compete at the best of my level, where I left off in January.” And he can’t thank the JCCF enough for allowing him to concentrate on his recovery. “The ( JC) Crisis Fund has given me the opportunity to make a second consecutive NFR,” Berry said. “It couldn’t have happened without this. I didn’t apply until either the end of February or beginning of March, and they not only covered my remaining months until I was back, but they also went ahead and covered the first two months. That was a very emotional time for me, seeing how they stepped up and reached out with a helping hand. I have so much respect for them, and I’ll continue to promote the Crisis Fund whenever I can, and I hope one day I can give back to help other cowboys. They’ve sure helped me.”

Lexi Christopher photo Bull rider Tim Bingham competes at the Elizabeth (Colo.) Stampede Xtreme Bulls June 4. Bingham has battled injuries in his career and has seen the benefits of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/25/2021

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