Members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Associations are coming together during a time of need to lend a helping hand to bull rider Reid Oftedahl.
Oftedahl was injured during Round of 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The Raymond, Minn., cowboy, was thrown forward and hit the bull’s head and was tossed to the arena dirt. He suffered a head injury and neck injury.
Oftedahl was admitted to the ICU at UMC Trauma Center on Dec. 2 in Las Vegas. He provided the following update on his condition on Dec. 15 to the ProRodeo Sports News.
Via text, Oftedahl said he was diagnosed with a Grade 3 Diffuse Axonal Injury, which is the shearing (tearing) of the brain’s long connecting nerve fibers (axons).
He also said he suffered a C7 cervical vertebrae fracture in his neck. As of Dec. 15, Oftedahl said he’s now at a rehabilitation center in Mesa, Ariz., but added he expects to make a full recovery.
ProRodeo cowboys have stepped up to the plate to help Reid and his family with the growing medical and rehabilitation costs. Since the Finals have ended, multiple contestants and contract personnel have donated rodeo memorabilia to be put up for auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going directly to Oftedahl.
The latest item donated for auction is an NFR All-Around Average Champion Saddle by seven-time PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright from the 2022 Wrangler NFR. The ongoing fundraising efforts are being spearheaded by the stock contracting firm Phenom Genetics Inc. You can bid on the items to support Oftedahl and his family on their Facebook page.
Courtesy of PRCA
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