Award-Winning Bullfighter Dusty Tuckness Recovering from Broken Leg
The pain was very real. But it wasn’t what hurt the most according to Dusty Tuckness.
The 10-time PRCA Bullfighter of the Year looked down at his left leg, knowing it was broken after Sankey ProRodeo and Phenom Genetics bull Bouchon stepped on him as he stepped in to help Braden Richardson escape following his Round 9 ride at the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge and knew it was a major injury.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been able to tough it out,” Tuckness said. “Fight through the pain.
“But what hurt the most when I looked down was more emotional . . . knowing I couldn’t shake this one off, tell Justin Sportsmedicine, ‘I’m ok’ and tough it out,” Tuckness said of that night, Dec. 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
What looked like any, almost ordinary save from a guy many call the G.O.A.T. of bullfighting, turned into a freak accident when the bull’s front hoof came down on Tuckness’ lower leg, breaking both the tibia and fibula, almost surely ensuring he’d miss half of the next season.
It was Tuckness’ 129th performance working at the Wrangler NFR, a testament to the talent of the man and his grit in a profession that will mentally and physically test the fiercest of competitors.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” Tuckness said of his recovery. After having surgery while still in Vegas, he felt, and saw, movement in the leg a couple weeks after returning home.
The bones hadn’t been lined up properly and healing was going to be severely impacted without another surgery.
“It’s not what I wanted to hear,” he said. “It was supposed to be healing, ready to get to rehab but after four weeks they went back in and put a bigger rod and supporting screws.”
The injury and setback could have sent many to the couch, understandably putting thoughts of physical exertion to the back burner for a while.
But that’s not how Tuckness is wired.
“I probably only had about two weeks down in the whole thing,” he said. “I’ve always been a go getter and I didn’t want to take time down.”
Bullfighting requires an extreme level of strength, conditioning and hardiness and Tuckness is renowned for both his physical and spiritual fitness. He relied on both as he hit the gym, working muscle groups not affected by the injury at first.
“I knew it would help the overall process if I could stay physically active,” Tuckness said, posting his rigorous workouts on social media along with scriptures to hopefully inspire others. “I just tried to focus on minor things that I could do at first.”
As the new year kicked off, Tuckness was missing from his usual spot in front of the bucking chutes in Odessa, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, and Tucson, Ariz. A quick trip to Fort Worth, where he’s fought bulls 13 years, proved a morale booster to break up the long winter.
Tuckness was invited to come help present the Lane Frost Award to his boss at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Instead, organizers surprised him when legendary announcer Bob Tallman introduced Tuckness as the winner of the award, given annually to someone who has enhanced the image and growth of ProRodeo.
“It was very touching for a few reasons,” Tuckness posted to social media following the ceremony. “Receiving the Lane Frost award is truly humbling because of what the award is and the kind of guy Lane was.”
From accepting the award while still on crutches in early February, Tuckness progressed to a walking boot and never let up on his training.
“I spend a lot of hours, probably three to four, a day in the gym,” he said. “Whether it’s strength and conditioning, ice and massage therapy, whatever it takes.”
Feeding his body and mind the correct things was key as Tuckness leaned on his strong Christian faith and healthy eating habits.
The boot came off in mid-March and doctors gave him rein to start more aggressive workouts.
“I’ve been bouncing around in the dirt and starting on some live cattle, just slower stuff,” he said. “The doctor said the leg is healing great, now I’ve just got to get it in shape.”
Saying he believes the experience will make him stronger and better, Tuckness is looking forward to getting back to work, hopefully as soon as May.
“I’m still looking to get a hundred perfs in this year,” Tuckness said. In a normal season, he would work about 180. “It won’t be a normal year, but I can’t worry about the past. I’m working with the present and excited to see what the summer brings.”
“It really gave me perspective,” he said of the journey back to the arena. “A reason behind my why I do what I do. In the end, it will all be worth it and just be part of my testimony of who I am.”
“God is good and hopefully I can inspire and motivate others through my story.”
You can read this story and much more on the latest ProRodeo Sports News.