Rob Smets

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Robert Edward "Rob" Smets (born 11 September 1959, Palo Alto, California),[1][2] known professionally as The Kamikaze Kid,[3][4] is an American color commentator for the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) tour[5] and a former five-time Wrangler World Champion bullfighter.

Biography

Smets was born in Palo Alto, California to Bill and Ebe Smets.[6] As a child, he lived in Thailand, Singapore, Puerto Rico, and Australia.[1][3][6] After returning to the United States as a teenager, he lived in San Martin, California and attended Palma High School in Salinas.[6] He entered high school rodeos starting in his sophomore year.[3][7]

In 2012, Rob Smets starred in Jagermeister's critically acclaimed A Stronger Bond television and digital campaign created by the award-winning advertising agency Mistress.[7]

Career

While bull riding as a teenager, he taunted some of the bullfighters for not protecting riders well enough after the riders fell. They challenged him to try being a bullfighter himself, which he did.[3] He made a name for himself early on, distracting bulls after riders had fallen, so the riders could leave the ring safely. During the 19 years of the Wrangler Jeans World Bullfighting Championship from 1981–2000, Smets was a top-6 finisher 17 times. He also won the championship 5 times, a record. Rob was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in April 2010.[1][8]

Injuries

During his bullfighting career, Smets was injured many times, including suffering a broken neck three times, in 1992, 1996, and 2006.[3][8] Although these injuries often paralyze people who suffer them, Smets' main problem from them is limited motion in his neck.[9] He retired from bullfighting in 2006, after breaking his neck for the third time.[2] Smets has also been gored by a bull's horn and has broken a leg.[9]

Personal

Smets and his wife, Carla, married in 1993, and they have four daughters, Corey, Dylan, Josie, and Sammy.[3][8][9] They live on a ranch in Merkel, TX.[9]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Pitt, Timothy E. (Nov 2003). Rob Smets 15 (11). Sports Illustrated Kids. p. 60. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Johnston, Harvey (2006-03-26). "Bullfighter Smets, bull rider Sharp to be enshrined". Abilene Reporter-News. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Hiestand, Michael (2005-02-23). "No room for clowning in these rings". USA Today. p. C3. Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  4. ↑ Smith, Marcia C. (2006-02-11). "Tired of Running With The Bulls". The Orange County Register. 
  5. ↑ Hedelt, Carden (2009-01-22). "Man versus Bull This Weekend in Fairfax". The Free Lance–Star. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Santos, Kendra. "Rob Smets". Retrieved 2009-07-05. 
  7. ↑ Johnston, Harvey (2006-02-05). "Sports". Merkel bullfighter Smets schedules retirement. Abilene Reporter-News. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Courchesne, Shawn (2002-11-17). "He has to Endure a Lot of Bull - 'Rodeo Clown' Image Tough to Shake". The Hartford Courant. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Kavanaugh, Lee Hill (1998-10-25). "The Greatest Show on Dirt: Rob Smets Literally Breaks His Neck to Put on a Good Rodeo Show". The Kansas City Star. 

External links

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