Saying Goodbye to a PBR Legend

Originally posted on Men's Journal | By Madison Richmann | Last updated Aug 26, 2024 2:34 PM ET

Only a handful of cowboys ever made the 8-second whistle on Bones, a legendary PBR Bucking Bull. His remarkable career was spectacular, and he will forever be known as one of the greats. Even the best bull riders in the world couldn't keep up with Bones.

At 21 years old, on August 15, 2024, Bones, passed away peacefully at his home farm in North Carolina. He had lived his best life there since his retirement in 2011. Owner Tom Teague says that he was just a special animal. Although rank and bodacious in the arena, he was sweet and dog gentle in his comfortable surroundings of home. He knew his job, and did it well.

8 seconds seemed extra long on top of Bones. His quick moves, and power put every bull rider to the test, and only 5 of them successfully rode him, though hundreds attempted in his bucking years.

After 43 outs, and a 90% buck off rate, Teague decided to retire him while at the top of his game. Though his career only span 4 years, he won two world titles, in 2008 and 2010. In 2011 when he was retired, Teague said, 'He’s going out right and I’m tickled to death with the way it ended, and it’s a great story of a great bull with a great ending.'

The legendary Ty Murray talked about Bones by saying, 'He has wiped some guys out,' while another, PBR World Champion Justin McBride said, 'That bull handed me my hat. He is the real deal.' Bones is one of only two bulls that McBride never got rode in his very impressive career. Although they may not have won any money aboard Bones, the best guys in the business have much respect for such an athlete.

Bull rider and World Champion, JB Mauney is known as one of the best in the business, and is one of five cowboys to make the 8 seconds on Bones; in 2009 in Oklahoma City, he was the very first to do so. He was 93.5 points, marking the highest ride Bones would ever allow. Later in their carreer, Bones and Mauney rematched and this time, JB was bucked off 4 seconds into the ride. Bones only got better as time passed, and continued to be a champion.

Teague bucking bulls was done after Bones. He was their success, and they decided to call it quits and retire alongside the champ. Bones received a top honor award, the PBR Brand of Honor in 2014.

Bones was buried at the Teague Farm and will forever be remembered among the greatest to buck.

This article first appeared on Men's Journal and was syndicated with permission.

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