Inspiration and goals are as personal as each of us is unique. You can make lots of assumptions about why people do what they do. Money, greed, taking care of one’s family, adrenaline, or just your passion. We see professional athletes earning tens of millions of dollars and then see them behaving badly. Then we also see the kids on the playground practicing as many hours that they can just to hone their skills with the hopes of one day playing professionally. Many weekend rodeo athletes are doing it because they love the sport. Because I think we can agree the money they make is not gonna make them millionaires. So what motivates them?
I had the opportunity to speak with a cowboy who rides bulls and spreads his love for God at the same time. Every rodeo always starts with an invocation but I admit I sometimes look around to see if everyone is praying. But mostly I am praying for the safety of the athletes, both human and animal.
I would like to introduce you to Kevon Rice, bull rider and man of God. Kevon is originally from Texas but is now rodeoing in 2016 in the First Frontier Circuit (PRCA) and the American Professional Rodeo Association. Kevon is one of the few Black bull riders in the PRCA competing in the First Frontier Circuit.
cSc What made you decide to ride bulls?
KR To pay for school
cSc Are you a full time Bull Rider or do you have another career?
KR I have 2 other jobs
cSc Do you compete in any other rodeo events?
KR No
cSc What rodeo organizations do you belong to actively?
KR American Professional Rodeo Association and soon the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association
cSc How would you describe your riding style?
KR Still at work changing a few things to fit my comfort zone
cSc Do you wear a helmet? Have you always worn a helmet? Do you advise helmet use for young riders?
KR Yes Yes Yes ! To me your body is important, protect it and it will take care of you.
cSc I know that you use the rodeo forum to speak to cowboys about God. How did you choose that forum? What is the most inspiring reaction you have gotten?
KR Forum is based on one thing “I only ride bulls to preach the gospel whatever it takes to reach the lost cowboy “, most inspiring reaction is tears of joy knowing God is changing their lives
cSc What advice do you have for young men of color that want to be rodeo athletes?
KR It’s hard work but allow yourself to be teachable and give them a reason to love black cowboys
cSc How did you come to wear the Dare To Be A Cowboy patch?
KR DTBAC inspired me to give of myself for the gospel of Christ if a young lady can have a vision to help youth why can’t I do it for Christ.
cSc So I am from the North, do you ever come up this was to rodeo?
KR Yes PA, OH, NJ
cSc Wooooo Hooooo. We try to get to Cowtown Rodeo in NJ a few times a month. Hope to catch you there.
cSc If you could attempt a ride on any bull past or present who would it be?
KR Mississippi Hippie my friend got bucked off him so I want to prove my skills I can ride him.
cSc Hippie was one of my all time favorites.
cSc You guys can follow Kevon on Facebook. We expect to see big things from this cowboy.
Motivation begins with an internal dialogue and is sustained when combined with a purpose. I wonder all the time what motivates people to do the things that they do, be it good or bad. But what I do know is that everyone who is successful, in their own right, has something that drives them to achieve.
This cowgirl is constantly reworking her motivation, but is constant in her ultimate goal. That is to spread the word about the western lifestyle. Because “Yes, we rodeo big in the North!”.
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