It’s one of the most exciting and dangerous sports: professional bull riding.

“You got to be a little crazy, I think,” said Cort McFadden, a rider in the Professional Bull Riders.

It's man versus bull, with eight seconds to determine who walks away victorious. There’s a little room for error each time the chute opens.

McFadden knows first-hand, as he gears up for chance for a potential payday backstage.

“I watch the event going on and watch everybody else go before I go, and kind of start getting the feel of things,” he said.

McFadden has a tough night ahead of him. He drew the bull "Ridin’ Solo," a two-time world champion.

“I did watch videos of him and things like that,” McFadden said.

It’s part of the process for the 20-year-old in hopes of winning a world championship one day.

“I've been around it since I was a little kid, and it's what I've always wanted to do,” he said.

The Texas native seemed destined for the PBR. His grandfather was a rodeo cowboy and his father Cory was a four-time PBR World Finals qualifier.

“I have always had a love for it, and I knew, as a career, I would be doing something in rodeo. It wasn't up until my college rodeo days until I really figured out I was going to do it for the rest of my life,” McFadden said.

Cort McFadden officially made his PBR debut in March 2023. But as he climbed the ranks, McFadden had to overcome a lot of injuries.

“I’ve broken my pelvis, broken my collarbone, torn ACL, broke my wrist,” he said.

But none of it, he said, has deterred him from chasing this dream. If anything, it’s motivated him to get back up and work harder each time he gets knocked down.

“It's a rush; it's crazy,” McFadden said. But it's something that you should experience, honestly. But it's fun.”

On this night, McFadden conquerors Ridin’ Solo, going the eight seconds and drawing a score of 73. It’s another step forward in his young career.

“I never dreamed I would be where I'm at right now, honestly,” McFadden said. “It’s a dream come true for sure.”