Oklahoma’s Ryan Dirteater Prepares For Final Rodeo In Tulsa Ahead Of Retirement

An Oklahoma professional bull rider has been hit with injury after injury, but this weekend, Ryan Dirteater will be back on the bull at the BOK Center.

It will be his final time to ride a bull in Tulsa.

"I've been through a lot throughout my career, ups or downs. Adversity either makes or breaks you,” Dirteater said.

Dirteater has spent about 13 years representing Oklahoma as one of the world's best bull riders, and he's fought hard to make them count.

This is his last year of competition. 

In August 2019, at the BOK Center, Dirteater was stepped on by a massive bull, and suffered a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and a lacerated liver. It took him about two months to recover. 

Then in February 2020, he compressed his spine, and just a few months later in August, he broke his collarbone. Both injuries set him back for months.

"Pretty good scar right now, it's healed up. They put a plate in with seven pins," said Dirteater. "You never know in the sport of bull riding. It's rough, because you're messing with 1,500 or 2,000-pound animals."

Ryan said he's been training hard and is ready to take on the premier event this weekend.

"The injuries are on the back of your mind, it's just trusting your body again," said Dirteater.

The BOK Center filled up with 750 tons of dirt today, and the event will be at 50% capacity due to COVID-19 precautions.

The Hulbert native said even with a smaller crowd, he hopes he'll make his home state proud.

"I am at a strong point in my career and I want to be done with it after this year," Dirteater said.

He aims for one last ride at this year's world finals in Arlington next month.

"I hope I go out and give it my all and don't let them down," Dirteater said.

The competition kicks off Saturday night at 6:45 p.m.