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Posted on 07/18/2007 12:31:44 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
HARRAH, Okla. -- An Oklahoma rodeo cowboy was killed this weekend when the bull he was riding fell on him, authorities said.
Will Jernigan, 29, was killed at the Prague Rodeo at about 10 p.m. on Saturday. The Harrah native had been riding bulls for several years, officials said.
Witnesses said the bull was jumping up in the chute before the gate was released. When it was released, the bull stepped on Jernigan and then fell on top of him.
"You look up in there, and the bull's hanging up over the pen, kind of like he was trying to climb out, and he would go down and come back up, and you couldn't see the cowboy at all," said Sharon Lee.
Paramedics at the scene reported that the bull stepped on Jernigan's head. He was taken by helicopter to a metro hospital where he later died.
Jernigan's brothers said that he was planning to go to his high school reunion this weekend. He graduated from Harrah High School in 1997.
"Everybody loved to be around him. Everybody wanted him around. He was like the life of the party. Whenever he showed up, he had everyone's attention," said Robert Jernigan.
Bull riding was a large part of Jernigan's life. His aunt said she knew early on what he wanted to do.
"He used to dress up as a rodeo clown for Halloween, said he really wanted to ride the bulls," said Barbara Bloyed.
Jernigan started in high school and won a state championship in 1997. However, family members said his other love was his new wife and family.
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Jernigan is survived by his new wife. They were married in May. He is also survived by his 8-year-old son and 4-year-old stepson.
His wife learned last week that she is expecting another child.
That’s awful, poor man.
Why these guys won’t wear helmets is beyond me.
Happy trails to you Mr Will. And may God comfort your family.
You'd think that would be the smart thing to do. However, I guess helmets aren't very "cowboy."
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Some of them do. I guess this guy was a traditionalist. I do respect that. Still, it's such a tragedy.
This is so sad. Prayers for his family.
Because it ain't Cowboy - the last vestige of indivual freedom and personal responsibility (even though he knew the risks).
The most dangeous 8 seconds in sports.
The most dangeous 8 seconds in sports.
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True. That's why we like it, I guess.
A lot of the guys don’t like the vests that came out after Lane Frost. It’s a terrible tragedy. But I respect their decision.
A dead or injured cowboy is still unfortunate. Sure it’s not very traditioanal to wear a helmet, but then is bull riding really a “traditional” ranch activity or more akin to WWE wrestling with bulls getting better every year too.
Freedom to be stupid does not make you freer, just stupider.
Me too. These guys ROCK!! Some of the coolest people in the world.
Well, wrestling has a pre-determined outcome with everyone cooperating with each other to achieve that outcome. Not so much in bull riding.
Agreed.
Sad...RIP Cowboy
I don’t know if hat would have helped much considering what those things weigh.
At least they weren’t bull fighting them. I feel for THIS guy...
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