In August 2023, Derek Kolbaba suffered the worst injury of his career; putting him on the sidelines for the remainder of the riding season. As a bull rider, Kolbaba is no stranger to serious injuries, but this one he described as "eye-opening."
""It really opens your eyes to what's really at stake here, and it's something that you have to be real with yourself about. If you're gonna do this, you better love it with everything that you've got, and still have that passion for it like I did when I started.""Derek Kolbaba
After a neck-breaking fall in Nashville, Tennessee, Kolbaba remained unable to ride for the next nine months. During this time, he trained harder than ever to get back on a bull, and he really did whatever it took. Finding that craving in his stomach pushed him to come back from an injury of a lifetime.
In an exclusive interview with Kolbaba, he walked through his rehabilitation process, outlining the physical process. When Kolbaba fell, his C6 and C7 vertebrae were critically damaged, leaving him with noticeable nerve damage. Recounting his experience, he mentioned that the sensation of the fall and the nerve damage first led him to believe that it was just a broken arm.
The tingling and numbness didn't subside until the six month mark, leaving Kolbaba with very little sensation and strength. This nerve damage is what prolonged his healing process, leaving him with reservations even after he was cleared.
""It took a lot of waiting. It was definitely [me] trying to find that mindset of it's not about how I feel right now or what happens tomorrow, it's trying to do the best today and set myself up down the road; not looking at the end goal all at once.""Derek Kolbaba
Kolbaba took an extra two months after his neck was cleared before he fully mounted a bull. He wanted to make sure that he could come back and improve his game; not just to hear his name get called. His goal of strength and improvement really took him on a journey of why he does the things he does.
Setting himself up for Vegas 2024, Kolbaba has taken every precaution to ensure that he can contribute to the team in the best way possible.
Although he remains unranked, his phenomenal comeback cannot go unnoticed. With this being the first season following his injury, Kolbaba has plenty left to give to the sport. Along with his own mindset and that of his team's, one other team seemed ready to pour confidence into the athlete's abilities.
The Walla Walla, Washington native partnered with Busch Light, snagging an endorsement that ran near and dear to his heart.
""The way that their passions align with my passions is cool to see; whether it's hunting or fishing or getting out into the mountains. I am excited to be working with such a great company.""Derek Kolbaba
With Busch Light's multiyear partnership with the Professional Bull Rider (PBR) circuit, Kolbaba became eligible to be sponsered, especially once his focus switched to the PBR. Kolbaba now has his sights on upcoming pro-rodeos; looking to increase his earnings and do justice to his new sponsor.