Professional bull riding's preeminent event is in less than two days and the Built Ford Tough Series' number one man Justin McBride (Elk City, Okla.) unexpectedly finds himself less than 100% healthy, trying to recover from illness and injury once again while competing for a PBR World Championship title. Upon being taken to the hospital late Monday afternoon, McBride was diagnosed with viral meningitis. Antibiotics were administered and he was sent home, confined to bed rest for the next several days. McBride was forced to cancel a Los Angeles media tour and suspend all strenuous activity in hopes of sufficiently regaining his strength in order to compete in the 2007 PBR World Finals competition which begins Oct. 26-28 and continues Nov. 1 - 4^th in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and the Thomas & Mack Center respectively.

"I've been in this position before [less than 100% healthy during PBR World Finals competition]. Punctured lungs in 2003, broken ankle held together with rods and pins in 2004," said McBride. "Those injuries may have contributed to me not riding well enough to win the title in those years, but this virus is not going to keep me down. I want my second PBR world title."

Viral meningitis is marked by fever, stiff neck muscles, severe headaches, vomiting, drowsiness, confusion and sensitivity to bright lights. These symptoms usually last 7 to 10 days, however the patient completely recovers.

In addition to the illness, McBride is also competing with a free-arm shoulder injury sustained at the Chihuahua Challenge in August earlier this year which requires surgery that McBride has elected to have after the PBR World Finals competition. He is not able to fully use the arm to balance himself, and has had to make adjustments.

"I don't want to be concerned about this. It's not the first time I've had to ride injured or ill, and it's not going to be my last. It's the nature of this sport. You've got to play to get paid, so I'm going to ride no matter if I am sick or injured. I'm going to do my best and hopefully my best will be enough [to win]"

For more information on the Professional Bull Riders' 2007 Built Ford Tough World Finals presented by Wrangler or Justin McBride's quest for a second PBR World Championship, please contact Denise M. Abbott at 719 440 0565 or dabbott@pbrnow.com.