Moraes makes retirement official

NEW YORK CITY – Prior to the start of the PBR’s “Versus Invitational” in New York City Friday night, news that PBR fans have been dreading was announced.

In a rider’s meeting prior to the start of round one, three time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets around. Rumors that have been circling were made official when the three time world champ announced he would be retiring from bull riding at the end of the 2008 season.

Explaining that he doesn’t want to keep riding longer than he is physically able, Moraes said he wanted to leave the sport before he reaches the point where he can’t ride the bulls run under him.

“With the bulls that are competing in the PBR today, there has to be a time when you say ‘no more’,” Moraes said in an interview following the press conference. “I’m 37, and I know that time is coming for me. That is why this year will be my last.”

He said he was going at this season just as hard as he has all of his previous ones. He was not expecting the year to take on the tone of a celebrity-style “farewell tour.”

“I can still ride bulls. I still want to ride bulls,” Moraes said. “This is a year, just like the others, when I will show up and do my best to ride my bulls. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t.”

During the announcement, which took place at the end of the riders’ meeting, Moraes expressed his love for his fellow riders and his appreciation for the opportunity to compete with them.

“I will still be here, and I will still do anything I can to help you out. I want you to come to me if you need something,” Moraes told the other bull riders. “I will still be here for you.”

He said he hopes to continue with the PBR following his retirement from riding. He said that there has been no decision on what his role might be.

“There are so many options, and we’re just starting to look at them and talk about them,” Moraes said in the post-announcement interview. “I have this year to look at it, talk about it and find where I will fit in best. The PBR is a part of me, and I want to be a part of this great group.”

Outside of the PBR organization itself, Moraes is also entering the field of raising bulls.

“We are raising bulls, and our first calves will be born in the next few months,” he explained. “I will raise bulls, and my boys will raise bulls.”

One role Moraes hopes to never have after his riding career ends is that of a parent watching his sons ride.

“My boys won’t ride bulls. At least I hope not. I don’t want them to ride,” Moraes explained. “I really hope they don’t want to ride bulls.”

Pressed for a reason why he doesn’t want his sons to follow in his footsteps, he was very clear in his reasons.

“I ride bulls. I know the pain that comes with riding bulls,” Moraes said. “I don’t want my boys to know that kind of pain.”

During his career, Moraes has broken 25 bones and had nine major surgeries, all a result of bull riding. He said that, knowing that pain firsthand, it would be extremely hard as a parent to sit back and encourage his sons to take that path.

“I’ve hurt my knees, my back hurts. Usually the day or two after a big injury or surgery, I wonder why I do this sport,” he said. “But I love it. I still love to ride. Even if my body isn’t always able, I still want to ride. But I know the time to stop is coming.”