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White's back, but for how long

Oft-injured veteran returns to BFTS following shoulder rehab

DEKALB, Texas (September 25, 2009) - There was no hesitation in his voice when Mike White said he no longer craves riding bulls.

But the 33-year-old from De Kalb, Texas, said he’ll wait until the conclusion of the 2009 season before deciding his future.

“I don’t really know yet,” said White, when asked whether he intended to retire at the end of the season.

He added that he wanted to wait and see how the next four weeks play out, adding, “Depends on when I get back whether I get to winning money or not. I really don’t know, to tell you the truth.”

White called professional bull riding “a young man’s” sport.

“It’s a proven fact that I just can’t compete against the young guys,” White said. “Honestly, I ride to win a world title, and I can’t see that happening next year for me, not against all these kids. I just can’t keep up with the kids.”

In 15 events, he’s covered 17 of 35 bulls for a 48.6 percent average and is in 30th place. However, he is 51st in the Qualifier Standings and just over $15,000 shy of the 40th and final qualifying position for the World Finals.

A PBR fan-favorite, White has missed 12 Built Ford Tough Series events this year due to various injuries. His career injury report is, perhaps, the most extensive list of any rider to have competed in the PBR.

“I honestly don’t crave it like I used to,” White said. “I’ve enjoyed my time at home when I’ve been off and really liked it. Don’t really know—I’m not going to lie, I’m doing it for the check. I’m not doing it because I love to ride bulls anymore. I’m beat up and bruised up and I think I’ve done my time.”

In his 12 years as a professional, White won the PBR Rookie of the Year title in 1999 (the same year he won a PRCA world title) and competed in 213 BFTS events. He’s won 12 event titles.

To this point in his career, he has qualified for the PBR World Finals every year and posted an impressive thirty-nine 90-point plus rides throughout, including last season’s 95.75-point ride on the then-unridden Troubadour at Tulsa, Okla.

He has won over $1.4 million in career earnings.

When asked if it was relief to be at a point in which could be honest with himself, White said, “I’d rather be honest with myself than sit there lying to myself and telling myself I’m still good as I was when I was a kid. I’m not.

“I could sit there and look at film from when I used to ride back in the late 90s and early 2000s, and I don’t ride the same. I buck off bulls I shouldn’t buck off of.”

NEWS and NOTES

In and Out: Brendon Clark and Cody Campbell are both out of the draw for weekend’s event in Ontario, Calif. Clark is out with a shoulder injury, while Campbell was hurt in a practice pen. Campbell is expected to return in time to compete in Portland. In the meantime, Matt Werries and Travis Sellars are now competing in their place.

Road to Vegas: All roads are leading to Las Vegas! The Built Ford Tough Series is in Springfield this weekend, but at this time of the season the PBR is all about the World Finals, which is Oct. 30 through Nov. 8. Call 866-PBR-SHOW for ticket information or log onto www.unlvtickets.com to order your tickets for what will be one of the tightest finishes for the world title.

Worldwide leader in sports: After reading all the content – Web features, blogs and Podcasts – at www.pbrnow.com, fans can get even more coverage from ESPN by logging onto www.espnbullriding.com.

Tweet, tweet: Be sure to follow the PBR on Twitter at www.twitter.com/teampbr.

—by Keith Ryan Cartwright