Reigning Resistol Rookie of the Year Cooper James Out Until July
Reigning Resistol Rookie of the Year Cooper James Out Until July
Youtube/Buck Em Co.
On the fourth episode of the Buck Em Co. Podcast, bull rider Cooper James revealed he will be out until July 1 after tearing his adductor in Palmer, Alaska on May 23.
The recovery is usually 3-4 months, but James has already undergone an intense cold tub and physical therapy routine to do whatever it takes to return.
“Biggest thing I could say right now is stay positive,” he said on the podcast. “That’s the hardest thing, because I am willing to do whatever it takes to be back. I’ve been through worse before and made it back and recovered faster than a normal person would.”
The 19-year-old James’ star rose significantly last December when he rode 5-of-10 bulls to finish second in the NFR average and third in the PRCA world standings.
He will have his work cut out for him if he wants to get back to rodeo’s biggest stage in Las Vegas. Currently, he is No. 35 in the World Standings and will likely drop a few more spots while sidelined.
“There’s still a lot of season left,” James said. “It’ll be a pretty damn cool story to tell when I do make the Finals and it all works out.”