Discover how Aaron Roy Bull Rider, 3x PBR Canada Champion, overcame a broken back, shattered femur, and near-paralysis to become a $1 million-earning bull riding legend. Learn about his “never give up” philosophy and historic World Cup role victory.
In the high-stakes arena of professional bull riding, where the average career is just 5-7 years, Aaron Roy stands as a living contradiction. At 38 years old – an age at which most riders retire – this 5’11”, 165-pound cowboy from Yellowgrass, Saskatchewan, still dominates bulls twice his weight. He’s done it twice.
Table of Contents
The Anatomy of Grit: Overcoming Career-Threatening Injuries
Broken Back, Unbroken Spirit (2013)
At the 2013 Calgary Stampede, Roy was confronted by a bull named Gretzky. Half a second after he left the wound, the animal folded him “like an accordion,” crushing his spinal cord 712 times. Doctors inserted two rods and eight screws into his back, warning he might never walk again. Yet 18 months later, Aaron Roy Bull Rider not only made a comeback, but also won the PBR Canada Finals in Saskatoon, one of the sport’s greatest comebacks.
Femur Fracture and the Unconscious Comeback (2016)
During the 2016 PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, a bull locked and loaded broke Roy’s femur. Knocked unconscious, he woke up with a leg “swollen to twice its size” with “bone fragments everywhere.” After a tough recovery, he returned to a Lethbridge event in 2018 — successfully riding his first bull without practice.
Expert Insight: Fellow rider Zane Lambert compares Roy’s perseverance to a carpenter breaking a thumb: “Would he quit? No. This is what Aaron’s done his whole life. Physically able, he does
By the Numbers: Roy’s Record-Setting Career
- 13+ Seasons: 3 Decades of Competition (2000-2020).
- 479 Rides / 1,181 Attempts (40.56% Career Ride Rate).
- 8× PBR World Finals Qualifier.
- $995,799.07: Close to Becoming Canada’s First $1 Million Earner in Bull Riding.
- 1500+ Career Chit Exits.
- 2022 World Ranking: #120 (13.5 Points).
The “Never Quit” Philosophy: Mindset of a Legend Aaron Roy Bull Rider
Roy has a tattoo on his arm that reads “Never Quit” – a mantra that 3 in adversity. This trait fueled his longevity:
- Family as motivation: Son Axel, 4, rides with Aaron Roy Bull Rider, analyzing rides like a mini-coach (“He’ll tell me what I did wrong or right”).
- Love over money: “When I decide I’m not doing it for the love of the sport, that’s when I’ll quit.”
- Age as fuel: “Everyone spoils me — I’m an old man — but I can still compete and beat all the young guys.”
Case Study: The 2019 Global Cup USA Historic Dual Role
In 2019, Aaron Roy Bull Rider earned his first PBR: simultaneously coaching and competing for Team Canada at Global Cup USA 58 in Arlington, Texas. Despite not riding full-time since 2016, he has led Canada to back-to-back third-place finishes in previous Global Cups as a coach. His eligibility to ride came after a 2018 season that included 3 event wins on 5 Canadian soil and 13 top-10 finishes.
Original insight: Aaron Roy’s Bull Rider dual role exemplifies a leadership rarely seen in extreme sports. Where most athletes focus solely on performance, he guided teammates like Dakota Butter and Zane Lambert while climbing the bulls himself – combining tactical skill with physical prowess.
Why America Loves Aaron Roy Bull Rider: Relatability Beyond the Arena
American fans resonate with Roy’s story because it mirrors core American values:
- Underdog Resilience: From near-paralysis to podium finishes.
- Work-Life Balance: Prioritizing family (wife Hallie, son Axel) while pursuing excellence.
- Humble Origins: A pasture herder from Yellow Grass (population: 440) who conquered world stages.
- Longevity in a youth-obsessed sport: Competing against riders half his age.
The Legacy: What Roy Means for Bull Riding’s Future
At 38, Roy’s career defies the actuarial tables of bull riding. His impact goes beyond the numbers:
- Mentorship: Inspiring the next generation while remaining active with Coaching Team Canada.
- Safety Advocacy: His transparency about injuries highlights the sport’s physical damage and rehabilitation innovations.
- Growth of Canadian Bull Riding: As its highest-earning athlete, he drove the visibility of PBR Canada.
Stat Highlight: In 2022, Roy achieved a world ranking of #120, which is proof that veterans can remain competitive against rising stars.
Master Class in Perseverance
Career of Aaron Roy bull rider is a master class in perseverance. From spinal surgery to historic coaching victories, his journey proves that perseverance can overcome gravity. As he told the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix: “You only live once… why not keep going until I’m ready to finish?”. For riders and fans alike, Roy’s legacy isn’t just about staying on the bulls for eight seconds — it’s about coming back when the world expects you to be down.
