Ask some rodeo fans about the bullfighters, they’ll likely look puzzled. Chad Dowdy thinks the Professional Bullfighters Tour is changing all that.Age: 29
Born: July 12, 1980
Hometown: Bristow, Okla.
Ask some rodeo fans about the bullfighters, they’ll likely look puzzled. Chad Dowdy thinks the Professional Bullfighters Tour is changing all that.
“The competition has changed things so much,” Dowdy said. “You’re seen more now as an athlete, not just an old rodeo clown. It’s helping the sport so much.”
Dowdy knows the sport, having fought bulls for 13 years. In his career, he’s won the 2001 Miller Lite Bull BlowOut in Denton, Texas, the longest-running protection bullfight competition in the world; has twice been an even MVP this year; qualified for the Super Bull Finals in 2001; and was voted to work the International Finals Rodeo in 2005.
“I used to do a little bit of freestyle,” Dowdy said. “I won the IFR whenever they had it. Freestyle is one-on-one with the bulls, and it takes a little more of a head to fight those Mexican fighting bulls.
“With cowboy protection, you’re laying it on the line for another person. There’s a lot of glory in that. There’s no greater feeling than stepping in front of a bull and be able to save someone’s life.”
He calls himself an adrenaline junky, but it’s not roller coasters that drive his rush. There’s no greater rush than stepping in front of a bulls, he said.
“Because of the way they judge these protection bullfights, you’ve got to be really aggressive,” Dowdy said. “You’ve got to be on top of your game. If you ain’t that caliber every time, then you’re just going to be in the back of the pack. It makes you step up your game so much.
“It’s the best thing that’s happened to bullfighting. We’re getting the sponsorships behind us now. It’s amazing what we’re showing the crowd. Once you see it, you’ll be impressed with what you see.”
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