Many students at Gulf Breeze High School possess interesting talents that often are not recognized by the school. These talents tend not to be school sponsored. One of these students is Doc Weaver, a professional bull rider.

   How did you get into bull riding? How old were you when you first started?

   “Born into it. My mom and dad had a farm, and, in our backyard, we had a practice pin for bull riders from different colleges or high schools that wanted or needed practice. I started bull riding in the summer of my sophomore to junior year of high school when I was 16 years old.”

   Is this talent generational in your family or did you pick it up on your own?

   “My dad’s side of the family is full of cowboys and cowgirls that rope cattle or barrel race, but only my dad was a bull rider. My father does not inspire me to become a better bull rider, but he did introduce it to me, and I am doing a lot better than he did.”

   What is your typical routine to prepare for bull riding?

   “Well, there is nothing typical about being a bull rider because it takes so much out of me, and [me and my mom] travel 3-8 hours away just for 8 seconds on a wild beast and a paycheck. Getting ready to get on, I got to prepare, warm up my rope, put on my gear and prepare what exactly I’m going to do, this isn’t no pretty little pony or cuddly stuffed animal this is a 1200-1600 pound bull that could kill any bull rider without even blinking an eye. I don’t know how many times I’ve been stepped on, knocked out, bled, or stunned, but I still get on because it’s the best freaking feeling ever.”

   Have you won any awards for bull riding?

   “Some of the awards that I treasure and earned are the friends and family I’ve got out of this because I made some brothers/bull riders that live all around the US that got my back through anything. I’ve also got two sponsors that pay for my entry fee, so I get into rodeos for free. A gym named Fit, and a chiropractor named Dr. Marshall, they both provide me their services as a benefit.”

   What was your best experience while bull riding?

   “Every time I get on is such an experience because you are putting your life on the line every single time and it’s such a rush. The competition and brotherhood is amazing, I couldn’t ask for anything different or change anything about my life right now because I love the sport and what it has done to my life.”

   What advice would you give to anyone who wishes to become a bull rider?

   “If there really is someone wanting to get on, please come talk to me, I have so many brothers that I could get you on a bull in the next two weeks. But if someone is looking for advice. Just don’t quit and keep fighting. Don’t be scared and hit it hard. Show that bull what you are made of.”