Ryan Dirteater Talks Riding, Relationships, and Religion at SAS

Submitted by St. Alphonsus

Just as most children would, St. Alphonsus students filled the school’s gym anxious to see a world famous professional bull rider who would talk about the most important thing in his life: an 8 second ride. Little did those students know, Ryan Dirteater’s most important thing in life isn’t about the 8 seconds on the back of a ferocious bull. Yet, the most important 8 seconds to him are the ones he continuously uses to deepen his relationship with God and his family. Of course, as any member of the most elite cowboys in the world would do, Ryan shared his stories about bull riding, some videos of his best (and some not so good) rides, and a look at all of his equipment. However, students were most in awe to hear of the faith that lies within such an idol in their lives. It isn’t often that even teachers, rookie and seasoned, are stopped in their tracks by the words of a young cowboy. Say it isn’t so, but anyone could have witnessed this during his short visit to St. Alphonsus. “You could have heard a pin drop while he was talking. Not a person in the room wasn’t completely engaged in his talk,” said Ms. Phillips, a fourth grade teacher. The kids and staff listened carefully as he talked about accidents that nearly ended his career, the struggles of his family and sacrifices his parents made to help him achieve his goals, and how all of it came together because of his faith in God. It doesn’t take long for one to recognize that Ryan Dirteater is far more than a person who can stay on a bucking bull for 8 seconds. After just a few minutes (maybe even only 8 seconds) of hearing him talk, anyone will realize that he is a true man of God. He places his faith in God at the top of his priorities.May we all seek to have this same passion for our faith. For more about Ryan Dirteater, visit the Professional Bull Riders’ website.You may also see him in the new PBR season beginning in January and at the local PBR event in August. From all of your St. Alphonsus fans, we say “Ride ‘em, cowboy!”

Picture: Ryan Dirteater poses for a picture with some of his biggest fans at St. Alphonsus