SAO PAULO, Brazil – Exactly one month after he arrived in Brazil, Joao Ricardo Vieira surprised his fans with a charitable act.
Vieira, with the help of the Fundo Social de Solidariedade in Pauliceia, Sao Paulo, took some time last weekend to bring donations of water and food to some of the region’s poorest families.
“These people give me the strength,” Vieira said. “They are simple people, with humble families and with many problems, but they are always smiling.”
On a sunny afternoon in Texas before traveling to Las Vegas for Last Cowboy Standing, Vieira decided to use some of his money he had won in the U.S.
Excited, Vieira and two of his friends helped deliver his donations.
“I am blessed to live a great moment in my career, mainly financially, so I decided to help these people,” Vieira said.
When Vieira came to Brazil, he participated in the DIVINAEXPO PBR Brazil Monster Energy event in Divinópolis. The current No. 1 bull rider in the world finished in third place after riding 4-of-5 bulls.
He then decided to stay home for a few days and to take a break from rodeoing for two weeks.
“This time I did not come to Brazil in search of money or competition,” Vieira said. “I wanted to stay with my family and take care of my business at home.”
Vieira got on an estimated 16 bulls at all levels when home in Brazil. He wanted to make sure that he remained in good condition for when the Built Ford Tough Series begins on Aug. 7 in Biloxi, Mississippi.
“I need to ride bulls every week,” Vieira said. “When I return to the U.S., I want to be prepared to fight for my of dream being World Champion.”
Vieira is returning to North America this week to compete in the Calgary Stampede.
“It’s a very good rodeo,” he said. “It has good money and it is the second year I go there. I hope I ride good bulls and further improve on them.”
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