Las Vegas Weekly

October 22, 2008 · 12:33 PM

McBride makes retirement plans official: PBR world championship will be his last

By Robin Leach

Photo: Isaac Brekken

Justin McBride makes his retirement official.

Former UNLV student Justin McBride will try for a third Professional Bull Riding world championship, then call his 10-year career quits.

“It will be tough because I missed so much of the season because of recuperating over six months from double shoulder surgery -– but I could win. I’m not going into it to lose so I will be very focused. I’m still going to compete to win my third title,” he told me moments after announcing his retirement decision yesterday.

Photo: Isaac Brekken

Justin McBride.

“It sure shook up a lot of people,” said the 29-year-old, onetime Vegas resident. He made it official at the Silverton, which will serve as PBR party headquarters for the upcoming Oct. 31— Nov. 8 championships at the Thomas & Mack Center. Justin’s determination to end his bucking-bull rides confirmed our earlier story yesterday that he was about to retire -- CLICK HERE.

Photo: Isaac Brekkan

Justin McBride, breaking the news at the Silverton.

“Vegas will be my final ride” Justin told me. “I underwent double shoulder surgery last December, but I qualified to ride with two wins in Tulsa and Nashville and managed to get in six or seven events to qualify. I’m going to ride still highly competitive, but come November 9 if I didn’t win it all I won’t be disappointed. But I’m going in to do that and my plan is to win. Last year I was on antibiotics and pretty banged up, but this year I’m in really good shape ands my health is good. The shoulders are great and fully rehabbed. I’ve done my own workouts with them to take care of them and keep them strong to avoid any problems from further impact.

“While I was recuperating, though, I thought about retiring. Last year I felt I was done but I kept thinking on it for almost eight months. Its like the eye of a tiger for a boxer and you go out with everything in it to win. There was one defining moment though that completely made up my mind. I rode a bull in Tulsa that nobody ever beat. I was the first to ever stay on the bull -– and you know that’s an incredible accomplishment, but it didn’t mean anything to me. The excitement, the adrenalin, the rush had gone -- and then I knew it was time to get out.

“I’m not sad about the conclusion I reached. I’m going to enjoy life a little bit. I ‘m excited about my future. I will stay involved with the PBR doing the TV broadcasts and my sponsors’ events. Bu I have my fully working ranch with 250 head of cows in Oklahoma -- and my wife and daughter.

“For 10 years these were long, grueling seasons -– and you had to do what it takes. That’s a lot of injuries and falls. It will be a good feeling to wake up without pain. Can you imagine, I’ve had pain every day of my life since this began? I’ll be careful in the upcoming finals -– but if I get injured again, I know it will be the last time.

“There’s a whole new pain-free world waiting for me out there.”

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