“What I’m Capable Of”: Days After Suspension From PBR Events, 2023 Bull Riding World Champion Speaks Up

The name Rafael Jose de Brito is likely familiar to any bull riding enthusiast. The 31-year-old Brazilian cowboy outdid every other competitor in the PBR in 2023, and he won the world championship for the first time in his 8-year PBR career as a result. After conquering the PBR Finals, Brito hasn’t competed in the highly anticipated PBR Team Series and has only appeared at the Iron Cowboy event. However, PBR suddenly suspended the Brazilian cowboy for ‘unexcused absences’ a few days ago. This has set up a firestorm in the rodeo community, but the 2023 world champion has some opinions on the matter.

After days of radio silence, the Brazilian cowboy finally made a comment that altered the course of events. Rafael Jose de Brito responded to the PBR’s formal notification of his suspension by taking to social media, where he addressed his massive online fanbase.

A fault in the bull riding contract

Rafael Jose de Brito disclosed the information several days after the PBR’s announcement. In his Instagram post, he said, “I did not come back to ride at PBR Teams as part of Texas Rattlers.” A “non mutual agreement” between the cowboy and the team is given as the reason for his not riding in the Team Series. The cowboy signed a contract with the Texas Rattlers, thinking it was for a year, and so the misunderstanding began. He claimed in his Instagram post that the deal’s actual duration was three rather than one.

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In spite of everything, the Brazilian cowboy did his best to have the “contract deal solved and finished fairly.” Unfortunately, he was unable to pull off that particular feat. Then he clarified, “I was aware about the rules and the actions taken by PBR, no worries.” The cowboy said, “I’ve proven to myself and everybody what I’m capable of and wrote my name in PBR books…” despite his present problems with PBR. In addition, he expressed gratitude to his legions of admirers for sticking with him through the ban and the difficult times. Similarly, Brito has no plans to retire from the cowboy lifestyle, so he’ll continue “riding in Brazil” as well.

The cowboy will have to try his luck in local competitions for the next 2023 and 2024 seasons, as he has been banned from the American rodeo arenas.

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