Rob Smets

One member of the fearless Professional Bull Riders Dickies Durabullfighters team, Smets earned the nickname "Kamikaze Kid" early in his career for his skill and daring moves in the arena. Smets' enthusiastic demeanor and longevity, not to mention his selfless determination to deliver lifesaving exploits week in and week out for season upon season, will leave a lasting legacy in the industry. Born September 11, 1959 in Palo Alto, Calif., Smets was not exposed to rodeo or bullfighting until his sophomore year in high school. Despite injuries of the scope that would have ended most athletic careers, Smets captured five world championships. After suffering a break of the C-4-5-6 vertebra in 1992 Smets not only ignored physicians' advice to seek other employment, but earned his fifth world title in 1994. In 1996 tragedy struck once more when Smets fractured his C-1 vertebra. The blow would have sent most down for the count, but Smets returned with a vengeance, attending every PBR World Finals from 1997 to the present. Rob Smets epitomizes what it means to be a bullfighter. He will go down in history as one of the greatest bullfighters of all time and you can truly say that no other bullfighter in the world has generated as much press or been seen by as many people as Rob has.