High school student earns $15,000 in 56 Seconds

RICK PECK SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Tyler Rogers is a junior at McDonald County High School and a bull rider.

RICK PECK SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Tyler Rogers is a junior at McDonald County High School and a bull rider.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

A lot of us, when we hear the salaries of today's sports stars, think it's ridiculous to be paid that kind of money for hitting, throwing, catching or kicking a ball of some kind.

What about a 16-year-old making $900,000 an hour? That seems so over the top that it must be "fake news." Well, it's not fake, but it is a little out of context.

Tyler Rogers, a junior at McDonald County High School, recently earned about $15,000 for less than a minute's work -- 56 seconds to be exact.

Rogers' payday came in eight-second explosions of power, agility, strength, balance and timing.

But the money is almost secondary. In the process of claiming such a big prize, Rogers set a national record, becoming the youngest person ever to win the bull riding world championship at the INFR (Indian National Finals Rodeo) held Nov. 8-11 at South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa in Las Vegas.

"On the first night of open bulls (Rogers competed in both junior and senior or open divisions) I got on this huge, huge bull," Rogers said. "It was a big, black baldy. They have been bucking him on the PBR Tour. I was kind of nervous, but I just prayed on him and ending up riding him and got third or fourth in the round. That got the ball rolling and, the next morning, I got on one that had bucked off some past world champions in the PBR. I rode him and won the round with an 86."

While the other top 15 riders got the rest of the day off, it was time for Rogers to go back to work that afternoon since he was competing in both the junior and senior divisions.

"I got a 79 on a little brindle on my first bull in juniors," Rogers said. "He spun to the right and I should have won the round, but the judges don't like me or my dad so they underscored me."

Rogers said he just kept doing his best all week and praying, finishing the week by riding seven out of seven bulls. While winning the world championship in the open (senior) division, he settled for second in the juniors.

"I was coming into wanting to set a record of winning the junior and the open championships," Rogers said. "It would have been the first time ever -- and I should have -- but, like I said, the judges didn't like me very much. They made sure I didn't win one of them."

Rogers said to be eligible to compete on INFR tour, you must have your Native American card. Rogers, the son of Jeb and Patricia Rogers of Rocky Comfort, is a member of the Ottawa tribe.

To qualify for the world championships at the INFR, you must finish in the top two of your region. Rogers said he competed in approximately 15 Indian rodeos this summer. He also attended other rodeos all over the United States, mainly in the greater Midwest, sometimes going to as many five different rodeos in a week.

Obviously, injuries come with the sport. Rogers said he has had numerous broken bones, but his worst came after getting stepped on after dismounting.

"When I was 13, I was riding a bull in Iowa and I came down and fell on my back," Rogers said. "The bull planted both feet on my chest and blew out both my lungs. I had to stay in ICU for a week in Des Moines."

Rogers, while only 16, is a 13-year veteran. He began riding sheep when he was 3 years old.

"My brother and I both liked it as a kid and thought it was fun," Rogers said. "We hopped on a sheep at some rodeo in Longview. My brother didn't really stick with it, but I did. It has really brought me far and I have continued with it. I really like it."

Rogers said he graduated from sheep to mini-bulls and then to bulls.

"I think I was about 11 years old when I got my first bull-bull," Rogers said.

In order to compete on the level Rogers does, training is mandatory. Rogers said he lifts weights and does a lot of cardio.

"I power lift with Coach Collins (an MCHS coach) and the rest of the team after school," Rogers said. "When I have free time, usually I get on my drop barrel and work on my form. I ride horses a lot and, whenever I can and whatever I can do, I always stay about it."

Future plans are to continue in the sport, eventually graduating to the PBR or the CBR. Near-future plans include attending the American Rodeo in Fort Worth in February 2018.

"I was invited to the American Rodeo," Rogers said. "It is a really big deal. If you qualify through the semifinals, you have a chance of winning a million dollars."

Sports on 12/07/2017