Photo by Chase Plaugher

For one, it was always serious, but for the other it began as a joke.

On a television broadcast prior to Round 10 of the 2024 National Finals Rodeo, six-time World Champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild announced he was going to come out of retirement briefly to go for the $1 million prize at The American.

Sitting on the same set, five-time steer wrestling World Champion Luke Branquinho joked with host Kadee Coffman that maybe he would do the same. He was not serious at the time, but when he got home and thought about it – and got some encouragement from his wife Lindsay – Branquinho decided he too was going to go run a few more and walk away on his own terms.

Both legendary cowboys proved to themselves Friday that they made the right decision.

First, it was Feild, who rode for Pow Wow Nights for 85.75 points to split the Go-Round win with Jayco Roper and cash in $12,500.  More importantly, it gave him the opportunity to win The American for a fourth time.

Later, Branquinho got an even bigger roar from the crowd when he stopped the clock at 4.02 seconds to win the round. The 44-year-old stood up, cracked a sly smile and did his signature booty shake while Hailey Kinsel let out an audible yelp of excitement in the broadcast booth.

“Three and a half years ago, I never thought I’d be in this arena and have a chance like this,” Branqunho said on the dirt after the round, his voice quivering. “But that’s the thing about The American, it gives everyone an opportunity no matter how young you are or how old you are.”

The other winners from Friday night’s American Contender Finals were Tyler Tryan/Denton Dunning in the team roping (4.10 seconds), Kaydence Tindall in breakaway roping (2.20 seconds) Rusty Wright in saddle bronc riding (86.25 points) Kincade Henry in tie-down roping (7.32 seconds), Sherry Cervi in barrel racing (15.28 seconds), and Kase Hitt in bull riding (84.75 points).

You can see the full results here and watch the Round of 10 beginning at 1 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.