No. 1 bareback rider in the world Tim O’Connell will miss the rest of the rodeo season after suffering a tailbone injury that left it in an ‘almost unfixable position.’
According to an Instagram post, O’Connell said he tried to tough it out for a few weeks after the injury occurred in Lovington, New Mexico, but ultimately x-rays showed that would no longer be possible. O’Connell continued on and revealed he had chosen to have his coccyx (tailbone) completely removed.
He still plans to be ready for the 2021 Wrangler NFR.
“Undoubtedly not the way I wanted to end my regular reason, but it’s the nature of the beast,” he wrote. “With the time line to the NFR we have decided to remove my tailbone (coccyx) completely this Tuesday. Thank you everyone for the support through the regular season. I’ll see you all when we throw down in Vegas. Be blessed everyone.”
O’Connell, who is a three-time World Champion, leads Tilden Hooper by about $15,000 in the PRCA World Standings.