Wrangler NFR Steer Wrestlers Talley, Parrot Out Injured

By Tracy Renck

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Wrangler National Finals Rodeo-qualifying steer wrestlers Jacob Talley and Rowdy Parrott were sidelined recently with pectoral injuries.

Talley, who qualified for the Wrangler NFR in 2016 and 2018, tore his right pectoral muscle on his second steer at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, April 18.

Talley had surgery April 23 in Red Bluff. There’s no timetable on how long the Keatchie, La., cowboy will be sidelined.

Talley was 24th in the April 23 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $19,542.

“I know everything happens for a reason, and I have no doubt I will come back even stronger,” said Talley, 28. “I also can’t thank the other steer wrestlers for being so supportive to me. It means a lot.”

Talley placed a career-best 11th in the world standings a year ago with $145,717. He earned $65,000 at the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas.

Parrott, who qualified for the Wrangler NFR in 2017, tore a tendon in his right pectoral muscle April 13 at the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo.

“The steers were fresh, and the steer stopped,” said Parrott, 25. “I’ve caught and missed steers like that a bunch of times. This was just a freak deal. I’m not going to have surgery. I’m just going to do six-to-eight weeks of physical therapy and try that and hopefully it heals up good. I’m hoping I can be back competing by Reno.”

The Reno (Nev.) Rodeo is June 21-29. Parrott was not in the top 50 in the most recent world standings.

This is the second-consecutive season Parrott has been injured. Parrott, who finished 12th in the 2017 world standings, had season-ending surgery Sept. 19 to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Dr. Tandy Freeman performed the surgery.

“I just started back after the knee injury, and I think I had been to eight rodeos,” Parrott said. “I just have to roll with it and get back on my feet and get back working in physical therapy and start back after it.”

Courtesy of PRCA