ProRodeo Sports News - May 29, 2020

eye shields help lower the likelihood of contamination while treating a patient. “We will not have guys hanging out in there, it’ll be locked down and organized.” Part of that organization process involves moving non- emergency items such as medical tape outside the trailer. “They regulate how many guys are in there at a time, but other than that everything is normal,” said Isaac Diaz, a six-time NFR saddle bronc riding qualifier (2007, 2009, 2012-13, 2015 and 2018). “It was nice having them here (in Cave Creek). It is always a reassurance that if something happens out there, and we are always at risk, that those guys are going to make sure we are all right.” There won’t be any fans in the stands right away, but eventually things will loosen up and audiences will be allowed but with a lowered capacity to accommodate social distancing. Even then, things will look different. “The fans won’t be able to interact with the athletes, so there’s no autograph signings,” Foster said. One complication that’s unavoidable is exposure through travel.

no different from any other illness, it’s just proper hygiene.” If anyone involved with the rodeo isn’t feeling well, Foster would want to hear about it immediately so the team can keep tabs on it. “We will help monitor and manage a situation if it arises, so educating athletes is a big deal, committees and any personnel, too,” Foster said. LOOKING AHEAD If there is a sunny side to the COVID-19 shutdown, it’s that the time off has allowed ProRodeo athletes to heal from injuries and address medical issues they’d typically postpone. “I’ve had more athletes I’ve talked to feeling better than they’ve ever been in their career,” Foster said. “They’re feeling better and riding better since they had some time to heal. This isn’t how we would want an offseason, but this has allowed guys to get healthy physically and mentally, so we hope those positives help the guys realize we have taken a positive from a bad situation.” Both fans and cowboys are eager to go, but it’s important to remember the pandemic isn’t over yet. “The fans want it just as much as the athletes do,” Foster said. “Fans haven’t been able to enjoy rodeo besides old tapes. They’re hungry for it too, but if you’re not feeling well and

“We will help monitor and manage a situation if it arises, so

educating athletes is a big deal, committees and any personnel, too.”

– RICK FOSTER

“We need to be extra careful when traveling,” Foster said. “We go from place to place with car rentals and airports, but schools just go from the house to the school and back.” Rodeo’s advantage over most other professional sports is that maintaining social distancing during competitions is fairly natural in most aspects. “The judges don’t touch, roping partners are far apart, but the tough part is the guys trying to help the athlete,” Foster said. “The No. 1 goal is to get people to wash their hands often and not touch their face. Sanitizing is key. It’s

have a temperature then stay home.”

In the long term, Foster is optimistic. “We’ll know more in a month and more in a year,” Foster said. “I hope by the end of the year we’ll be back to normal, if not sooner. We should be back for a strong NFR, with just a shortened season is all.”

Courtesy photo ProRodeo athletes and personnel can take care of their non-emergency medical needs outside of the Justin Sportsmedicine trailer to lower the number of people inside at any given time.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/29/2020

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