ProRodeo Sports News -March 5, 2021

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Steve Gray Bull rider Tyler Bingham is tended to by members of the Justin Sportsmedicine team and medical personnel after getting bucked off and stepped on by Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon in Round 7 of the 2020 Wrangler NFR.

CAN’T STOP WON’T STOP Kimzey, a six-time world champion (2014-19), saw what happened to his friend and traveling partner. “I was on the back of the chutes, and it was pretty scary for sure,” Kimzey said. “You know it’s a dangerous game, but it puts it in a whole new perspective whenever it’s one of your best friends. It was a little touch and go there for a minute, and it was definitely a scary wreck. But this is what we do and the sport we love, and none of us are going to quit.” Bingham didn’t, even after watching the replay. “I’ve seen the replays of the ride and I just should have done something different and stayed on,” he said. “The Justin Sportsmedicine guys were right there, and they are the best. It was a blessing to have them there.” Remarkably, Bingham, who’s made three consecutive trips to the NFR (2018-20), returned to action by Feb. 14 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Xtreme Bulls. He also competed at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, which concluded Feb. 27, earning $5,400 at the rodeo. “It’s great to be back,” Bingham said before the San Antonio rodeo ended. “San Antonio is an historic rodeo, and it’s a rodeo a guy always strives to win. I’m not 100%, but for the most part I feel really good. I’m just fighting through any pain I have. This is just the way I make my living. I never even thought about not coming back.” Bingham riding again in less than nine weeks surprised Kimzey. “For his turnaround to be so quick after such crazy injuries is nothing

short of amazing really,” Kimzey said. “Tyler is probably one of the most down- to-Earth, nicest guys I know. He’s the kind of guy you would want your kids to grow up to be like, and that’s probably the ultimate compliment.” BINGHAMS AND BULLS Growing up in Ogden, Utah, riding bulls was the path Tyler and brother Tim, 29, chose. Like Tyler, Tim has qualified for the NFR three times (2014, 2016-17). “We were really young, and we had a couple of buddies who lived in our neighborhood who went to youth rodeos,” Tyler said. “We just went with those guys and never looked back. We both team roped, (tie-down) roped, rode saddle bronc horses, and obviously bull riding is what we were best at and what we are still doing. We also put a lot more effort and time into the bull riding, and this is how I would want to make my living over anything else.” Tyler credited Kimzey for helping elevate his bull riding skills. “Sage pushes me to win just as much as he pushes himself,” Tyler said. “He wants to see me win just as much as he wants to win another world title.” Tyler would love nothing more than to make his fourth trip to the NFR come December. “Every single rodeo you come to all you can think about is the end result,” Tyler said. “You go to those small rodeos and they are fun, and the committees are great, but the whole time you’re thinking, ‘I’m coming to these just to get in that position again (to make the NFR).’ My goal is to get back to the NFR.”

ProRodeo Sports News 3/5/2021

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