Some of you know Sid McKissick. He grew up here in Wetumpka and still calls Wetumpka home. Those of you who do know him probably know that he is a professional bullfighter. If you’re like me, when you hear the term “bullfighter” you probably think of the guy in Spain with the funny little hat and the knee-length pants. While Sid would look great in that outfit I’m sure, that is not the kind of bullfighter Sid is. Sid, on purpose, gets into an arena with a bull that not only wants to remove and injure the rider on his back, but wants to injure Sid for trying to protect that rider. It’s crazy, I know. I sent Sid a list of questions about bullfighting and he was kind enough to answer them. Thanks, Sid! You da’ man!
Thad: How in the world did you get into bullfighting?
Sid: There was a practice pen in Millbrook and I was there to ride broncs. They needed a bullfighter, so I stepped up.
Thad: How long have you been bullfighting?
Sid: 25 years
Thad: What made you pick bullfighting over riding bulls or broncs or some other rodeo discipline?
Sid: I liked it better. I felt like it was more of a challenge. That, and it was a sure paycheck.
Thad: How many championships and giant belt buckles have you won?
Sid: I’ve won five championships.
Thad: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever had bullfighting?
Sid: Look at the pictures. Oh, and I lost one of my pinky fingers.
Copy and paste the links below into your browser to view a series of photos of Sid dealing with the business end of a bull.
http://www.rustyriddleprorodeo.com/photoalbum.asp?action=displayimage&ID=29713&category_id=2785
http://www.rustyriddleprorodeo.com/photoalbum.asp?action=displayimage&ID=29714&category_id=2785
http://www.rustyriddleprorodeo.com/photoalbum.asp?action=displayimage&ID=29715&category_id=2785
http://www.rustyriddleprorodeo.com/photoalbum.asp?action=displayimage&ID=29716&category_id=2785
http://www.rustyriddleprorodeo.com/photoalbum.asp?action=displayimage&ID=29717&category_id=2785
Thad: Someone told me that you were scared of horses. Is that true?
Sid: Yes, I’m scared of horses. Because they will turn on you and are unpredictable.
Thad: Do the bullriders ever take you out for a steak dinner after you save them from getting killed by a bull?
Sid: No! Sometimes the will tell you “Thank you.”
Thad: What’s the worst injury you’ve ever seen a bullrider sustain?
Sid: I’ve seen a guy get paralyzed and a guy who actually died in the arena.
Thad: What does your wife and family think of your profession?
Sid: They don’t like what I do, but my wife has supported me.
Thad: Would you ever want Denver(his toddler son)to do what you do?
Sid: NO!! But I will be behind him and support him in whatever he does.
Thad: What would you say to someone who was interested in getting into bullfighting?
Sid: If bullfighting is something that they really want to do, they need to set some goals for themselves, find a practice pen and a bullfighting school.
Thad: How did you get involved with the Red Bull bulls and motorcycles thing?
Sid: I was working for Tuff Hedeman(3-time PRCA World Champion Bull Rider)and the CBR, Championship Bull Riding, and Tuff set the deal up for me. It was on TV and I was actually on one of the commercials than ran nationally.
Thad: What is the difference between the different bull riding organizations?
Sid: I am with the CBR. The other major organization is the PBR. They are both just professional associations.
Thad: Have you ever gotten into a fight with Don Gay(former bull rider and iconic rodeo announcer)? It seems like with a name like that, he’d be easy to whip.
Sid: HA! HA! HA! No.
Thad: Who do you think is the coolest guy you know? Other than Tuff Hedeman.
Sid: You are Thad. Without a doubt, you are.
Okay, I made that last one up. You got me. If you haven’t ever met Sid, you’re missing out. He is one of the most easy-going, laid back guys I know. You can see him around town involved in all sorts of stuff. Often with his wife Laurie, daughter Sidney, and son Denver. If you do, stop and introduce yourself to him and you’ll feel like you’ve known him forever. You’ll be glad you did. Tell him Skidboot sent you. He’ll know what you mean. Just don’t tell him about that last question.
The View From We2 
I enjoyed reading this and I also think Sid is a really nice guy………I even know who Tuff Hedeman is and I have seen him on tv riding bulls….so I guess that makes Sid our own hometown celebrity, right?Nancy
The first time I met sid was in Bosier before a CBR bull riding. It was the middle of the summer, hot and I was unloading my equipment getting ready to photograph the event later that night. Sid came from out of no where and offered to give me a hand carrying my gear inside the arena.That’s what kind of guy Sid is. Later that night Sid was seriously injured and ended up in the Intensive care unit with a collapsed lung and lacerated liver after he stepped in and saved a rider. I called Sid a few days later to check on him and he said he didn’t remember a thing. So being the nice guy I am I told him to check his e-mail and I would refresh his memory. I sent the photos of the bull pinning him against the chutes. I have to say looking back on my time with the CBR, Sid has to be one of my favorite people I ever met.rusty riddle, rustyriddleprorodeo.com
That’s a great story. He speaks highly of you too, Rusty. Says you were once a school teacher. I admire people who teach. My wife is a teacher. Thanks for the comment.
Really enjoyed the Q & A with Sid whom I've known was a great guy for a long time! Carrie
He is a great guy!
Thad, Sid has been hit on the head one too many times! I never taught school, growing up in Lawton, Ok. There are many teachers I had who called it quits after I passed through their doors. I actually work as a Registered Nurse in the Recovery Room in Muskogee, Ok.
I knew Sid back when he worked for Allstate Beverage in Montgomery,Al. He was a very nice guy and after watching him handle kegs after Norm pissed him off I would want no part of a mad Sid. Good to see he has made it as a Rodeo bullfighter.
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Hey did my name is Gannon Green and like you I am a professional bullfighter with two bulls and the Pbf. Do you know of any practice pens in the Montgomery al area. My wife is here for a school and some of her classmates want to ride a bull. I am trying to find a place for them to ride. My contact information. Gannon Green 210-326-1996. My email is g3bullfighter@yahoo.com. Give me a shout brother