What Was The Deadliest Bull In The PBR? Bodacious is widely considered the meanest and most dangerous bull in PBR history. Known as “The Yellow Whale,” he injured several top riders with his violent, upward-pushing style, killing 127 of 135 riders in his career. He was so dangerous that he was retired early to avoid further injury.
Other notoriously “mean” rank bulls include:
- Dillinger: Considered the most feared in history with an 85.11% book-off rate.
- Bushwacker: Often cited as the greatest and most dominant booking bull in PBR history.
- Little Yellow Jacket: A legendary, high-class booking bull from the early 2000s.
- Man Hatter: A high-performing, aggressive bull in recent PBR seasons.
Key features of “Mean” Bulls:
- Aggression: Using their head and horns to deliberately attack riders.
- Power and Athleticism: High, spinning jumps that often cause wild leaps.
- Consistency: Delivering punishing, unpredictable rides every time.
Table of Contents
The title of “deadliest” or “most dangerous” bull in PBR history is divided into two separate categories: the bull with the most fearsome reputation for injury, and the bull responsible for a tragic death.
The Legend: Bodacious
Bodacious (J-31) is the only bull in history to be retired specifically because he was too dangerous to ride. Active during the early years of the PBR (early 1990s), he developed a move where he would throw his head back to hit the rider in the face, a tactic that resulted in horrific injuries. He caused career-ending facial injuries to champions like Tuff Hedeman. However, in terms of a literal fatality within the PBR, Hard Times is the bull responsible for the death of Mason Lowe in 2019.
- Tuff Hedeman Incident (1995): At the PBR World Finals, Bodacious broke every major bone in Tuff Hedeman‘s face while riding. Hedeman required 13 hours of reconstructive surgery.
- Scott Breeding Incident: Shortly after injuring Headman, Bodacious knocked Scott Breeding unconscious, breaking his eye socket. This prompted his owner, Sammy Andrews, to immediately retire the bull for the safety of the riders.
- Legacy: He is known as the “Baddest Bull” of All Time and was inducted into the PBR Badge of Honor in 2019.
Statistical Dominance
Career Buckoff Rate
94% (127 of 135)
Tragedy in the Arena
Fatal Encounters
While Bodacious wounded the riders, he did not kill them. The term “deadliest” takes on a literal meaning with Hard Times.
- Mason Lowe (2019): Ranked 18th in the world, Mason Lowe was killed at a PBR Chat Out event in Denver. After being booked, the bull-herding Times accidentally stepped on Lowe’s chest, causing severe heart damage. It was ruled a freak accident, and the bull remained on the circuit.
- Amadeo Campos Silva (2021): A rising star from Brazil, Silva was killed at a PBR Velocity Tour event when his spur got tangled in the flank strap of a Classic bull and dragged him under the animal’s hooves.
| Bull | Buck-Off Rate | Avg Bull Score | Notable Injuries | PBR Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bodacious | 94% (127/135) | 46.4 | Face fractures (Hedeman, Breding) | 1995 |
| Dillinger | 85.11% | 46.83 | Minimal reported | 2000-2001 |
| Bruiser | 78% (career) | 45+ | Jaw breaks (Mauney) | 2016-2018 |
Safety Measures in Bull Riding
Protective vests, mouth guards mandatory post-Boudacious era; helmets increased after the headman was destroyed. PBR vets monitor bulls (0.004% fatal injury rate). Chutes, flank straps (no pain, just irritation) ensure humane treatment. Retired bulls breed legacies like Bo Howdy.
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Frequently Asked Questions: What Was The Deadliest Bull In The PBR?
Did Bodacious ever get ridden successfully?
Yes, Bodacious was successfully ridden eight times out of 135 career attempts. Known as the “World’s Most Dangerous Bull,” he was retired in early 1995 after surviving a fatal injury that nearly killed several world-class riders.
How does PBR score the deadliest bulls?
The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) scores the “deadliest” or most athletic bulls on a 1-50 point scale based on performance, speed, and agility, with two judges specifically evaluating the animal. The judges look for high jumps, sharp turns, sharp changes of direction, and overall difficulty of the ride.
Did Bodacious ever kill anyone?
Bodacious didn’t kill anyone, but the infamous 1,900-pound bull was retired in 1995 over fears he would. Known as the “World’s Most Dangerous Bull,” he inflicted serious career-ending injuries, most notably broken facial bones in 1995 to champions Tuff Hedman and Scott Breeding.
How did Bodacious change bull riding safety?
Known as the “world’s most dangerous bull,” Bodacious forced a massive change in bull riding safety in the mid-1990s due to his explosive and deadly booking style.
Why was Bodacious retired?
Legendary bucking bull Bodacious was retired in December 1995 primarily due to safety concerns and the extreme risk he posed to the lives of riders.
What breed was Bodacious?
Bodacious was a famous 1,900-pound yellow Charbray bull a cross between a Charolais and a Brahman. Known as the “world’s most dangerous bull,” this notoriously aggressive bucking bull was known for his unique yellow color, a departure from the usual gray-blue and cream color of the rest of the herd.
Is Bodacious in the Hall of Fame?
Yes, Bodacious, the legendary bucking bull, has been inducted into several halls of fame.
What is a foul in PBR?
In professional bull riding (PBR), a foul occurs when an external factor or the bull’s own actions during an eight-second ride give the animal an unfair advantage over the rider.
Compare Bodacious to modern PBR bulls?
Comparing Bodacious to modern PBR bulls highlights the shift from “dangerous power” to “athletic precision.” While Bodacious remains the most feared bull in history, modern stars like Man Hater or Cool Whip are bred for more consistent, higher-scoring performances.
So, what was the deadliest bull in the PBR? It was Bodacious. Not necessarily because he killed a rider – he didn’t – but because he wielded the power of death and disfigurement in every jump. He was the perfect storm of size, intelligence, and violence. He forced the sport to look in the mirror and choose evolution over tradition. By retiring him, the PBR acknowledged that some forces are too powerful to withstand. In the annals of rodeo, Bodacious remains the gold standard of menace – a bull so mean, so powerful, and so effective that he simply changed the rules of the game for the better.