Most folks in Lubbock, Texas remember October 17, 2009 as the night their Red Raiders took to the road and upset the Nebraska Cornhuskers (31-10). But for one young man and his family, that night in Lubbock had a much deeper significance.  For Friday Wright, October 17th was a night to begin again.  A night marked by victory, courage and the memory of a mentor who inspired both confidence and determination.

On September 9, 2009, the Wright family received a call that would forever alter their future.  Todd Wright, their son and Friday’s older brother, had been killed in a tragic auto accident.  For young Friday the news was devastating.

“My brother was the one who started me off in rodeos,” Wright remembers.  “I wasn’t much into it for a while, but he kept pushing and, when I was about 15, I started.  It grew on me.”

So on October 17th Friday Wright marked his return to the sport his brother loved so well.  In front of a large Lubbock crowd, Friday rode for a total score of 179.5 and was crowned Champion of the Cinch CBR West Texas Showdown. His win secured a spot in the Top 40 heading into the CBR Tour Finale in Kansas City.  It was his first event since his brother’s death.  For the young man from Moss Point, Mississippi, adversity had inspired confidence and, ultimately, victory.

“I guess I always had doubts, but this night, I just felt it was my event to win. It’s like my brother always said- he knew I had it in me and I felt it,” said Wright.

The spectacular performance in Lubbock may be just the beginning for Friday, as he has continued to perform well since the big win, placing in the top three in several recent events.  This weekend, Friday and his parents will celebrate not only his appearance at the CBR Tour Finale, but his 21st birthday as well.  And, while he knows it will be difficult to catch the top three contenders, Friday’s trademark optimism still shines through.

“All of the negativity I had in the past is gone,” says Wright.  “I feel really good about Kansas City and all the other events coming up. I hope one day people will look back and say Friday Wright was one of the best there ever was. I really want that and I think my brother is up there and wants that for me too.”

Friday Wright lives with his family in Moss Point, Mississippi.  While bull riding is his passion, he plans to earn a degree in Business Management and one day enter the cattle/bull livestock business.