Brady Oleson, a former resident of Blackfoot, has had to get back up several times in order to chase after the frequently elusive eight-second ride.
Oleson has made it a practice to rise above the fall. The 28-year-old, who plays for the Texas Rattlers of the Professional Bull Riders, has overcome injuries and struggles with alcohol to become a world champion.
In so doing he has demonstrated the true grit of a genuine cowboy.
I was 23 years old when some injuries happened to me combined with some personal failures,” he said. “I’d had hip and shoulder surgeries and some dislocations. I was really struggling with things. I ended up depending on alcohol. In 2021 I hit bottom. Just being willing to do something about it was the first step in recovery. I spent a lot of time praying, just trying to make things right.”
Oleson has recovered not only from addiction and injury but he has risen to the top of the PBR team sports series. As a member of the Texas Rattlers, Oleson is a key performer on a team that had a magical run to the league championship in Las Vegas last season.
The regular season champion and in-state rivals, the Austin Gamblers, were ultimately defeated by the Rattlers in the championship series, which saw them take home the coveted gold buckle.
“Shoot, I think it surprised a lot of people but to me and the members of our team, it wasn’t really surprising,” Oleson said. “We just kept riding and doing our jobs, one ride at a time and it all worked out. It was a pretty huge blessing.”
Oleson had an unlikely journey to become a Texas Rattler. The former Firth High School student said that everything just clicked. “It was a crazy turn of events because it wasn’t looking like that would happen before the draft,” Oleson said.
“I ended up winning the first round of the 2022 PBR World Finals and that kind of caught Cody Lambert’s eye. I guess he liked what he had seen of me and heard about me, so in a matter of just a couple of days I ended up with the Texas Rattlers.”
Oleson’s difficulties in recent years made it an obvious choice to join the Rattlers and train under the legendary bull rider Lambert. Oleson’s difficulties in recent years made it an obvious choice to join the Rattlers and train under the legendary bull rider Lambert. “The way it worked out, Lambert has been a huge part of my life the last three years. He’s done so much for me. Simply said, it has been a blessing.
PBR Hall of Famer Lambert noted, “Brady steps up in whatever role the team needs him to play.” “He is a true leader who goes above and beyond to improve the team. Brady is an experienced player who is still developing, but he has provided us with many great rides and scores.
We hold Brady in the highest regard. In June 2022, Oleson moved from Idaho to Texas in order to further his career as a bull rider. Oleson has dreamed of it since he was young.
He explained, “It was just kind of a family thing.” “My father raised bucking horses, and my stepdad raised bulls.” Hence, it seems to run in the family. I had always wanted to do it and was constantly around it.
My grandparents kept about 200 cattle on a respectable acreage in the neighborhood. I rode sheep, calves, steers, and tiny bulls until I went on a bull for the first time when I was about 12 years old.
Oleson credits one person with helping him become the best bull rider he can be.
“My stepdad, Jason Johnson, taught me everything I knew about bull riding,” he said. “Anytime I am having a hard time out there, I’ve always been able to talk to him and he reminds me that I am able to do these things.”
A cowboy at heart, Oleson explains the draw to bull riding and the surging interest nationwide in the western lifestyle.
“I think it is just the feeling you get when you are up there on the animal,” Oleson said. “I haven’t really found anything else that comes close. They are big animals. It is scary. There is a point of challenge in your mind where you have to get through that fear. It is just kind of a mental challenge, I guess is the best way to describe it.
Regarding the nation’s desire in a western way of life, I believe it stems from the traditional cowboy code and the values that accompany it. That seems like it would appeal to a lot of folks these days. Perhaps there are those who prefer to live in the past.
The Texas Rattlers, the reigning champions, are having a slow start to the season in Oleson. With a current season record of 2-3, they are ranked seventh out of 10 teams in the Camping World Team Series. However, the Rattlers’ tale from the previous season, when they came out of the center of the pack to win a championship, was comparable.
For his part, Oleson, riding leadoff has been up to the assignment. Oleson gained points for his team for the second week in a row. He most recently defeated the Florida Freedom in Duluth, Georgia, with an 86.75 point ride.
The bull’s moniker was “I’ll Make Ya Famous.” Oleson stated, “This year, the team’s goal is to repeat.” “For myself, it’s just to get better and grow as a bull rider. My goals are to increase my riding percentage and continue to stay on bulls. Oleson recently got some time to visit his native state. Oleson made his way back across the Gem State in between team competitions.
“I don’t make it back to Idaho very often,” said Oleson. “My workload with the PBR team keeps me rather occupied. However, I recently returned there for the Big Sky event. So, I drove through and saw some of the relatives and friends there before I headed out to Montana.” At this stage in his life, Oleson is playing in a professional league that he believes is going to take off, which is exactly where he wants to be.
He stated, “The PBR Team series offers the bull riders a lot of opportunities to earn a really good living, make some great connections, and build friendships.” “I’ve learned so much from my coach, and it has changed my life and my bull riding.”
