John Crimber doesn't just ride bulls. He makes it look like a casual Sunday afternoon in the park, even when 1,800 pounds of muscle and bad attitude is trying to launch him into the rafters. Honestly, if you’ve watched a single PBR event over the last year, you’ve heard the name.
He’s the kid who turned the 2024 season into his personal playground. Then, he did it again in 2025. Now, in early 2026, he’s sitting near the top of the World Standings, proving that he wasn't just a flash in the pan or a lucky rookie with a famous last name.
People love a prodigy. But Crimber is something else entirely. He’s the son of 10-time World Finals qualifier Paulo Crimber, yet he’s already carving out a legacy that might eventually eclipse his old man’s Hall of Fame career.
The $1 Million Kid and the Weight of Expectations
Let’s talk numbers for a second because they’re kinda ridiculous. John Crimber became the youngest rider in the history of the Professional Bull Riders to cross the $1 million mark in career earnings. He did that before he could legally buy a beer.
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Success like that usually messes with a person's head.
Not John.
He was the No. 1 overall draft pick for the Florida Freedom in 2024. Talk about pressure. Not only are you the top pick, but your boss—the head coach—is your dad. Most 19-year-olds would struggle with that dynamic. John just went out and won back-to-back PBR Teams MVP awards in 2024 and 2025.
He’s remarkably consistent. In 2025, he wrapped up the Teams regular season going 25-for-34. That’s a 73.53% riding percentage. In a sport where the dirt usually wins, those are video game numbers. He’s currently holding the No. 5 spot in the 2026 World Standings as of mid-January, right in the thick of a heated race with guys like Julio Cesar Marques and Marco Rizzo.
Breaking Bones and Riding Through the Noise
You can't be a bull rider without getting wrecked. It’s part of the contract you sign with the universe when you climb into that chute.
John’s had his share. In May 2025, he broke his collarbone at the World Finals. Most people would take a summer off. John? He came back for the Teams season and promptly fractured three ribs and separated his AC joint.
He didn't miss a single game.
"Everything happens for a reason," he says. It’s that mindset—a mix of deep faith and "get it done" grit—that separates the contenders from the champions. He doesn't dramatize the pain. He just eats a bag of Hot Cheetos, listens to his "rap and heartbreak" playlist, and gets on the next one.
What Actually Makes Him Different?
If you ask the experts, they’ll tell you it’s his balance. He stays low and centered. While other riders are fighting the bull, John seems to be moving with it. It’s technical precision that usually takes decades to master, but he’s had it since he was mutton-busting in Brazil.
He once rode a bull in North Carolina wearing shorts and no shoes just for the fun of it.
That’s the "Crimber Code." He loves the animal. He loves the sport. He’s been known to stay on for an extra eight seconds during practice just because he got flipped during a dismount and wanted to see if he could.
Why the Florida Freedom is His Secret Weapon
The Florida Freedom, led by Paulo Crimber, built an entire franchise around John. In 2025, they brought in veterans like João Ricardo Vieira to take the pressure off. This allowed John to thrive in the "closer" role.
Think of him like a 9th-inning pitcher.
When the game is on the line, he’s the one they send out. He’s the "walk-off king." In 2025, he helped Florida deliver one of the most dominant performances in PBR history—a 434.25–0 shutout against the Austin Gamblers. He closed the door with an 88.75-point ride on Mo Money.
The Road to the 2026 Gold Buckle
So, what’s next? He’s chasing a world title that barely eluded him in 2024 when he finished second to Cassio Dias. He still has a chip on his shoulder about a bull named Magic Potion—the one that cost him that first gold buckle.
Records are meant to be broken. John knows it.
He’s already the youngest to hit $1M. He’s the only rider besides José Vitor Leme to win a Teams regular-season MVP. Now, he’s hunting the one thing his dad never got: the PBR World Champion gold buckle.
Keep an eye on the Unleash The Beast tour as it rolls through 2026. John is currently riding with a "cold-minded" focus that usually belongs to men ten years his senior. He’s not just the future of the sport; he’s the right now.
Actionable Insights for Following John Crimber:
- Watch the "Closer" Moments: In the PBR Teams format, pay attention to the final ride. That's almost always where John is most dangerous.
- Track the Standings: Follow the Unleash The Beast (UTB) points closely. The 2026 race is incredibly tight, and one 90-point ride can jump him from 5th to 1st.
- Study the Style: If you're a fan of the technical side, watch his feet. His ability to keep his spurs moving while maintaining a perfectly centered torso is the blueprint for modern bull riding.
- Check the Matchups: Look for when he's matched against "rank" bulls like Magic Potion or Man Hater. These are the "legacy" rides that define his career.