Rodeo bullfighters grab life by the horns

Have you ever heard the phrase grab life by the horns?

That is literally what Brandon Parker of Fresno does for a living. Parker is a professional bullfighter, and every time he steps in the arena he puts his life in danger to save bull riders.

“My job as a bullfighter is to protect the bull rider when he comes off the bull,” Parker says. “Rather it is before or after the eight second whistle. So if he falls off, my job is to either step in between him and the bull or just distract the bull so that he can get away safe.”

Professional bull rider Sean Peterson says bullfighters like Parker are important

“They mean a lot because they are pretty much our safety,” Peterson says. “If we get in a bad spot, they’re the only guys that are there to help us out. Otherwise it is just us and the bull.”

Many wonder what could drive somebody to choose such a daring job or why anybody would want to risk their own safety for someone else.

But passion is what motivates Parker.

“There’s no other rush really, no other feeling than making a save and knowing that you let that guy go on to the next rodeo,” Parker says.

People who don’t know anything about the sport of rodeo are easily impressed with Parker’s skill to save the riders from a tough spot.

Kelsie Cotta was a first time rodeo fan who attended the Coarsegold rodeo where Parker was working. She was shocked that someone would put himself himself in danger for someone else.

“One of the bullfighters dove in there without even thinking about it and risked himself for someone he didn’t even know,” Cotta said.