A 24-year-old bull rider died Thursday from injuries sustained at a rodeo event in Wharton County, highlighting the inherent dangers of a sport known for its close-knit community.
Dylan Grant was bucked off a bull during the second round of the Wharton County Youth Fair Xtreme Bulls event, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).
Medics immediately attended to Grant in the arena before he was airlifted to a hospital in Houston, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The PRCA released a statement expressing its condolences to Grant’s family and the bull riding community, which mourned his loss on social media.
“Dylan Grant was a son, a brother, and a friend to countless people,” a Facebook user said. “The rodeo world is a small one, and the bull riding world is even smaller. But within it, Dylan made a big impact.”
The bull bucked, a furious dance of muscle and rage, and in a heartbeat, Grant was thrown. The cheers turned to gasps, then silence. This incident underscores the risks inherent in the sport.
That sense of community and the dangers of bull riding are also explored in the upcoming film, The Last Rodeo, starring Neal McDonough. The film tells the story of a retired rodeo legend who risks everything to save his grandson by returning to the arena.
“That tight-knit group that all bull riders are…” McDonough reflected in an Instagram post, acknowledging the unique camaraderie within the sport, a sentiment echoed by those who knew Grant. “It’s hard but gosh, when you go out doing something you love so much like Dylan did… God bless you, hope you’re riding them well up there.”
A UCSD student, Angel Martinez, described the unique bond among bull riders. “There’s no opposing team, people come together with friends and family. Bull riding is the only sport where people will cheer for each other to do their best.”
Martinez expressed a similar sentiment regarding Grant’s death. “It’s a difficult time, but knowing Dylan died doing what he loved with such passion brings a small amount of comfort… God bless him and his family.”
The Last Rodeo, also starring Christopher McDonald, is scheduled for release in theaters on May 23, 2025, by Angel Studios. Filming took place in Oklahoma in March and April 2024. The film is rated PG.
Grant’s dedication to bull riding, a sport he pursued professionally since obtaining his PRCA permit in 2018, was acknowledged by McDonough and many others in the rodeo community.
His legacy will be remembered throughout the rodeo world, a world now grappling with the loss of one of its own.
The tragedy is likely to prompt discussions about safety protocols in professional rodeo.
Details about Grant’s funeral arrangements are pending.
The rodeo community is expected to support Grant’s family and friends.
Research has documented the high potential for injury among rodeo athletes. A study published in the Kansas Journal of Medicine examined 70 patients treated at a trauma center over a 10-year period. Head injuries were the most common, affecting about half of the patients. The study reported one death. Another article, published in Sports Medicine, found that bull riding accounts for the highest proportion of rodeo injuries.
