Kennedy Saves the World

Episode: Saddle Up With PBR Friday Night Live

Host: Kennedy (FOX News Podcasts)
Guest: Keyshawn Whitehorse, PBR Bull Rider
Release Date: October 22, 2025

Overview

This episode takes listeners inside the adrenaline-charged world of professional bull riding, exploring both the sport's physical grit and its unique place in American culture. Host Kennedy interviews Keyshawn Whitehorse, a top 12-ranked bull rider and member of the Navajo Nation, discussing his journey to the sport, the technical and team-oriented nature of PBR, what it takes mentally and physically to ride at the highest level, and the personal philosophies and rituals that keep him going. The episode balances humor and genuine curiosity, providing an engaging primer for new fans and those fascinated by the high stakes and personal narratives of professional bull riding.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting Into Bull Riding

• Early Interest and Background
  • Kennedy is fascinated by how people are drawn to bull riding:
    • [01:07] Kennedy: "How old were you when you looked at a bull and went, yeah, I could do that?"
    • Keyshawn: "I want to say I was like four...my dad was watching it on TV and I was like, that's what I want to do, dad." ([01:14])
  • Explains that entry often depends on family or local culture; riders start with clinics, mechanical bulls, or small animals and move up:
    • Keyshawn: "There's levels to it just like anything else." ([01:35])

PBR as a Team Sport

• Team Dynamics & Scoring
  • PBR (Professional Bull Riders) now features teams (Keyshawn rides for the Arizona Ridge Riders):
    • "It's a five on five...But the only thing is, instead of having...other guys on the court with you, it's just you and the bull one at a time." ([02:31])
    • Team totals are based on each rider's best scores; must ride all bulls to win aggregate.
  • Style points matter, but the score also depends heavily on the bull's athleticism and difficulty:
    • Kennedy: "Do you get style points?"
    • Keyshawn: "You do get style points, but the points are very dependent...on the bulls." ([03:05])

Technical and Style Elements

• Techniques, Control, and Showmanship
  • The ride is scored on both the rider’s technique and the bull’s performance:
    • "The more you keep [your free arm] in control...you are considered to have more control and have that style point." ([05:56])
  • Moves reminiscent of other sports (e.g., “Superman” in BMX) do happen, but often out of necessity as much as style:
    • "A bull can choose whatever direction he wants to go...if you take your left leg out...it shows that you're in total control." ([03:55])

The Physical & Mental Demands

• Staying On & What Sets Greats Apart
  • The percentage of successful rides is surprisingly low (staying on 50–60% is excellent):
    • "If you're staying on 50 to 60% of your bulls, more than likely you're going to be ending up in the winner's circle." ([04:51])
  • The unteachable traits of great bull riders:
    • Keyshawn: "Physically, it's...the rhythm, the flow, kind of like the dance...Mentally, I think more so it's the fact [that you have] to be all in...I do know, that [being all in] can't really be taught. You either have it or you don't." ([09:22])

Dangers and Injury

• The Intense Reality of Bull Riding
  • Keyshawn shares harrowing stories of injuries and near-misses:
    • "There was a point earlier in this season I was like, man, I know you gotta be tough to do this, but I'm kind of tired of being tough right now because I'm hurting." ([10:59])
    • Describes being stomped by a bull called "The Punisher":
      • "I'm crawling away...we lock eyes and I'm like, oh, crap. As soon as that happens, I see him chase after me...my back is pretty messed up and torn after that." ([11:46])
    • Resulted in torn knee ligaments and back spasms:
      • "I did tear ligaments in my knee from that moment...that's about it, luckily." ([12:42])

Respect for the Animal

• Bull-Rider Dynamics
  • On whether a psychic or emotional connection can influence a bull:
    • "I do know that the bulls feel and understand how we feel as animals. So, like, if you're scared to death, they know, and they can take advantage of that." ([13:54])
    • Kennedy: "Are you able to communicate with the animal? Is there a way that you have almost to psychically connect...?"

Personal Motivation & Rituals

• Movies, Golf, and Mental Preparation
  • Keyshawn finds inspiration in sports films about resilience (“Bleed for This”; “Creed” series):
    • "It's just more so the background of like [the hero] knowing who he is...and knowing that no matter what, nothing can stop him." ([14:55])
  • Keyshawn is a scratch golfer; sees golf as mental preparation for bull riding:
    • "With golf, you got to see a shot...visualize...but at the end of the day...you just do it. It's pretty similar...to bull riding." ([17:15])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Inspiration:

  • "I was like four. I'm not quite certain, but I do know, like, my dad was watching it on TV and I was like, that's what I want to do, dad." – Keyshawn Whitehorse ([01:14])

• On the Danger:

  • "There was a point earlier in this season I was like, man, I know you gotta be tough to do this, but I'm kind of tired of being tough right now because I'm hurting." – Keyshawn Whitehorse ([10:59])

• On the Unteachable Intangibles:

  • "You either have it or you don't. You can try to work on it, but at the end of the day, you got it. You got it. You don't, you don't." – Keyshawn Whitehorse ([09:22])

• On Respect for Bulls:

  • "I do know that the bulls feel and understand how we feel as animals. So, like, if you're scared to death, they know, and they can take advantage of that." – Keyshawn Whitehorse ([13:54])

• On Golf as Bull Riding Training:

  • "With golf, you got to see a shot...visualize the shot, visualize where the ball's landing...But at the end of the day...you just do it. It's pretty similar...to bull riding." – Keyshawn Whitehorse ([17:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:10] – Introduction and Keyshawn’s bull riding pedigree
• [01:07] – Early attraction to bull riding
• [02:31] – How PBR team scoring works
• [03:05] – Style points and bull scoring explained
• [04:51] – The reality of 8-second rides and scoring percentages
• [09:22] – What cannot be taught in bull riding
• [10:59] – Injuries, danger, and memorable accidents
• [13:54] – Interactions and respect between rider and bull
• [14:55] – Favorite inspirational movies
• [16:40] – Keyshawn’s passion for golf and its connection to riding
• [17:15] – Mental parallels between golf and bull riding
• [19:25] – Closing thanks and goodbyes

Closing Tone & Takeaways

Kennedy’s witty, spirited style keeps the conversation engaging, accessible, and relatable even for listeners unfamiliar with bull riding. Keyshawn Whitehorse is humble, candid, and insightful, offering an inside look at the physical and psychological rigor of his sport—plus some surprising wisdom about mental focus, toughness, and respect for both competitors and animals. The episode is equal parts sports primer, personal story, and celebration of American grit and individuality.