Post by rossco4worldchamp on Jun 13, 2008 7:18:28 GMT -5
Crimber out, career in jeopardy
Brazilian scheduled for surgery Friday after breaking neck for second time in 15 weeks
PUEBLO, Colo. (June 10, 2008) - "It's just a tragedy."
Those were the words from a somber Adriano Moraes earlier this afternoon, following the unfortunate news that fellow Brazilian rider Paulo Crimber had broken his neck for the second time this season.
Crimber competed this weekend in Orlando – his first event in more than three months after breaking a vertebra earlier this season at a Built Ford Tough Series event in St. Louis – but was hurt in the first round of the Git-R-Done Invitational.
The injury came just 5.4 seconds into his return when he was bucked off the right side of Roughneck onto his head, neck and shoulder region. The injury was likely made worse when the bull stumbled into him.
“It is an even worse fracture,” said Moraes, who has been with Crimber and his family around the clock since they returned home to Texas. “It is career-threatening."
Dr. Tandy Freeman would only confirm that Crimber will undergo surgery Friday at an area hospital in Dallas and will be out of competition for six months to a year.
It was initially believed that Crimber had broken his collarbone and several ribs, but Monday afternoon, X-rays confirmed he re-broke the neck. This time, however, the bone was displaced, and will require surgery.
“It is a career-threatening injury,” said Freeman, who also noted that he will not have any further medical updates until after the weekend, “and it will take at least six months before the status of his career is known.”
Reaction throughout the PBR has been shock and disappointment.
In spite of his relative youth – Crimber turns 28 years old tomorrow – the Brazilian native is a well-seasoned veteran. Competing in his 10th season on the tour, he his favorite among fans, and considered by fellow cowboys as a competitor who always rode with the heart of a champion.
“He’s very young and had dreams of being a World Champion,” said Guilherme Marchi, who has spoken regularly with Crimber’s wife Maria, “and now he’s not going to be able to ride anymore.”
“The guy is very smart,” said Justin McKee, who was shaken by the news before focusing on a positive thought. “I think he’s intelligent, he’s charismatic, he’s got a lot of great qualities and, who knows, there might be something even more exciting and bigger for him in the future.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in Paulo Crimber outside of the arena.”
Moraes agreed, saying Crimber is a hard worker and will excel at whatever he pursues.
If there is any one particular rider, however, who knows what Crimber is going through, that rider would be Mike White.
White, the 1999 Rookie of the Year, has twice broken his neck. When first told of the news, he talked about the “discouragement” Crimber is likely going through, and noted that this is understandably an “emotional time” for the Crimber family.
“He loves his kids like I love mine,” White said, “and you don’t ever want your bull riding career to end your life to where you can’t enjoy your kids. I guarantee you that’s what he’s been going through and thinking.
"Anybody that rides bulls great and has always wanted to win a world title,” he continued, “they’re always going to have that fever to get back on. … When something like this happens it kind of scares you. You think about your family and all that, but as time passes he’ll overcome that.”
Prior to his initial injury in St. Louis, Crimber was in the Top 5, and the oft-injured Brazilian was hoping for a healthy season and chance to finally compete for his first World Championship.
A deeply religious rider, Crimber will no doubt wait before making a final decision.
“God has a plan for us all,” said Shorty Gorham, a bullfighter who has been inside the arena with Crimber for years, “and maybe riding bulls wasn’t in that plan for him anymore.”
—by Keith Ryan Cartwright
Brazilian scheduled for surgery Friday after breaking neck for second time in 15 weeks
PUEBLO, Colo. (June 10, 2008) - "It's just a tragedy."
Those were the words from a somber Adriano Moraes earlier this afternoon, following the unfortunate news that fellow Brazilian rider Paulo Crimber had broken his neck for the second time this season.
Crimber competed this weekend in Orlando – his first event in more than three months after breaking a vertebra earlier this season at a Built Ford Tough Series event in St. Louis – but was hurt in the first round of the Git-R-Done Invitational.
The injury came just 5.4 seconds into his return when he was bucked off the right side of Roughneck onto his head, neck and shoulder region. The injury was likely made worse when the bull stumbled into him.
“It is an even worse fracture,” said Moraes, who has been with Crimber and his family around the clock since they returned home to Texas. “It is career-threatening."
Dr. Tandy Freeman would only confirm that Crimber will undergo surgery Friday at an area hospital in Dallas and will be out of competition for six months to a year.
It was initially believed that Crimber had broken his collarbone and several ribs, but Monday afternoon, X-rays confirmed he re-broke the neck. This time, however, the bone was displaced, and will require surgery.
“It is a career-threatening injury,” said Freeman, who also noted that he will not have any further medical updates until after the weekend, “and it will take at least six months before the status of his career is known.”
Reaction throughout the PBR has been shock and disappointment.
In spite of his relative youth – Crimber turns 28 years old tomorrow – the Brazilian native is a well-seasoned veteran. Competing in his 10th season on the tour, he his favorite among fans, and considered by fellow cowboys as a competitor who always rode with the heart of a champion.
“He’s very young and had dreams of being a World Champion,” said Guilherme Marchi, who has spoken regularly with Crimber’s wife Maria, “and now he’s not going to be able to ride anymore.”
“The guy is very smart,” said Justin McKee, who was shaken by the news before focusing on a positive thought. “I think he’s intelligent, he’s charismatic, he’s got a lot of great qualities and, who knows, there might be something even more exciting and bigger for him in the future.
“I’ve got a lot of faith in Paulo Crimber outside of the arena.”
Moraes agreed, saying Crimber is a hard worker and will excel at whatever he pursues.
If there is any one particular rider, however, who knows what Crimber is going through, that rider would be Mike White.
White, the 1999 Rookie of the Year, has twice broken his neck. When first told of the news, he talked about the “discouragement” Crimber is likely going through, and noted that this is understandably an “emotional time” for the Crimber family.
“He loves his kids like I love mine,” White said, “and you don’t ever want your bull riding career to end your life to where you can’t enjoy your kids. I guarantee you that’s what he’s been going through and thinking.
"Anybody that rides bulls great and has always wanted to win a world title,” he continued, “they’re always going to have that fever to get back on. … When something like this happens it kind of scares you. You think about your family and all that, but as time passes he’ll overcome that.”
Prior to his initial injury in St. Louis, Crimber was in the Top 5, and the oft-injured Brazilian was hoping for a healthy season and chance to finally compete for his first World Championship.
A deeply religious rider, Crimber will no doubt wait before making a final decision.
“God has a plan for us all,” said Shorty Gorham, a bullfighter who has been inside the arena with Crimber for years, “and maybe riding bulls wasn’t in that plan for him anymore.”
—by Keith Ryan Cartwright