Post by Homeslice on Feb 10, 2009 9:07:28 GMT -5
From PBRNow.com....
Potter hangs it up
Popular Aussie veteran retires after neck injury
PUEBLO, Colo. (February 9, 2009) - “I’m going to hang my spurs up and call it quits.”
Those were the words of Greg Potter, who, after 19 years of riding professionally, finds it difficult to say the word “retirement.” Potter made the announcement in a podcast posted at www.pbr.tv.
“It still puts a lump in my throat,” he said, “and fills up a tear in my eye when I think about it.”
The popular rider was injured in Sacramento when he landed on his head after being bucked off his second round bull. Dr. Tandy Freeman had listed Potter on the PBR injury report as being out for an undetermined length of time.
However, after the two spoke on Friday, Potter talked it over with his wife Jodie and the two decided it was better for the Australian native to err on the side of caution.
“We decided this will be the end of the road for me,” said Potter, who went to say, “I think it’s the right choice for my family and my kids and that.
“Things like this, you’ve been doing it all your life, I’ve been riding bulls now for 19 years, and when it comes to a sudden end like this it’s a difficult thing to take.”
The 37-year-old, 19-year veteran noted that the neck injury won’t require surgery.
A specialist had pointed that his neck is no longer shaped “the way it is supposed to be” and that because of some missing cartilage, there are some bone-on-bone issues along with a laundry list of other potential problems.
The specialist did inform the father of two daughters that if he elected to return, he would be ready as soon as six weeks from now. According to Potter, Freeman advised him against returning.
“If I chose to come back and landed on my head again,” Potter explained, “there are a few things in there that put me at a greater risk for worse damage.”
His latest injury occurred just four events into his return after sitting out more than six months with a torn rotator cuff.
Potter competed in parts of 12 seasons on the Built Ford Tough Series. He rode in 181 events and posted five event wins. His best statistical seasons came in 2004 and 2005 when he finished the season ranked 5th and 8th in the world standings.
He said that his greatest memories would be qualifying for seven PBR World Finals.
“We’re going to hang around here until the end of the year or maybe early next year,” said Potter, who is hoping to transition into producing and promoting PBR events in Texas, “before we head back to Australia.”
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Well, I guess it had to happen sometime, but I figured he'd still be back. It was a good ride, Greg. I wish him good luck with everything in the future.
The only upside to this? (Yes, there is one.) No more seeing that ugly mouthpiece. :-)
But seriously.
Potter hangs it up
Popular Aussie veteran retires after neck injury
PUEBLO, Colo. (February 9, 2009) - “I’m going to hang my spurs up and call it quits.”
Those were the words of Greg Potter, who, after 19 years of riding professionally, finds it difficult to say the word “retirement.” Potter made the announcement in a podcast posted at www.pbr.tv.
“It still puts a lump in my throat,” he said, “and fills up a tear in my eye when I think about it.”
The popular rider was injured in Sacramento when he landed on his head after being bucked off his second round bull. Dr. Tandy Freeman had listed Potter on the PBR injury report as being out for an undetermined length of time.
However, after the two spoke on Friday, Potter talked it over with his wife Jodie and the two decided it was better for the Australian native to err on the side of caution.
“We decided this will be the end of the road for me,” said Potter, who went to say, “I think it’s the right choice for my family and my kids and that.
“Things like this, you’ve been doing it all your life, I’ve been riding bulls now for 19 years, and when it comes to a sudden end like this it’s a difficult thing to take.”
The 37-year-old, 19-year veteran noted that the neck injury won’t require surgery.
A specialist had pointed that his neck is no longer shaped “the way it is supposed to be” and that because of some missing cartilage, there are some bone-on-bone issues along with a laundry list of other potential problems.
The specialist did inform the father of two daughters that if he elected to return, he would be ready as soon as six weeks from now. According to Potter, Freeman advised him against returning.
“If I chose to come back and landed on my head again,” Potter explained, “there are a few things in there that put me at a greater risk for worse damage.”
His latest injury occurred just four events into his return after sitting out more than six months with a torn rotator cuff.
Potter competed in parts of 12 seasons on the Built Ford Tough Series. He rode in 181 events and posted five event wins. His best statistical seasons came in 2004 and 2005 when he finished the season ranked 5th and 8th in the world standings.
He said that his greatest memories would be qualifying for seven PBR World Finals.
“We’re going to hang around here until the end of the year or maybe early next year,” said Potter, who is hoping to transition into producing and promoting PBR events in Texas, “before we head back to Australia.”
------------------------------------------------------------
Well, I guess it had to happen sometime, but I figured he'd still be back. It was a good ride, Greg. I wish him good luck with everything in the future.
The only upside to this? (Yes, there is one.) No more seeing that ugly mouthpiece. :-)
But seriously.
