In what could be the greatest example of love of a sport, the fifth annual Avella championship bull riding competition takes place this weekend at the Village Tack Arena. Men and boys will climb aboard bucking bulls and hang on for what has been called the most dangerous eight seconds in sports.
I agree, wholeheartedly.
They do it for the challenge, the competition and the love of the sport. It certainly isn't for the money.
The top professional bull rider in America, Guilherme Marchi, made an estimated $2 million last season. Marchi is the Ben Roethlisberger of his sport. You won't see him riding Saturday night at the Village Tack Arena in Avella. Guys like Guilherme Marchi do not come to tiny towns like Avella on summer nights. Marchi doesn't put his life on the line for gas money.
The riders you'll see Saturday night are doing just that.
Gas money.
They pay their own way. They find a place to stay. They ride, get patched back together and hit the road again (the next stop in this competition is in Gordonsville, Va.).
They're not the big time.
They're not Marchi.
That doesn't mean you won't be entertained. The men and boys who will sign their names to the sheets of paper surrendering responsibility for their safety will give the audience the best entertainment $12 can buy. Watch one, and you, like me, will be hooked.
When you take into consideration the fact that most of the participants Saturday night will be losing, not making money (after expenses), it really hits home.
These guys love their sport.
We're blessed to live in a small town that features not only rodeo events during the summer, but also Independent League baseball. The Washington Wild Things do not play in hopes of making a living. They, like the bull riders, play for the love of the game.
That's rare.
If you choose to attend the fifth annual Avella bull ride this Saturday, do yourself a favor and stick around long enough to give all the participants, winners and losers, your applause and thanks. They not only put on a great show for little monetary return, but also help the town of Avella stay in business; proceeds from the competition benefit the Avella Area Community Association.
Me? I'll do what I always do when watching bull riding. I'll look on in amazement at the abilities and bravery of the riders, while silently rooting for the bulls.
I always root for the bulls.
Sorry, guys.
Remember - professional athletes aren't always those whose faces appear on cereal boxes. They're also those sleeping in their trucks after a hard night's work in the middle of nowhere.
To hear Scott Paulsen's column, visit www.observer-reporter.com. He can be heard each weekday afternoon from 3-7 p.m. on 1250 ESPN Radio.