FORT WORTH, Tex. – The Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, Fort Worth’s first-ever professional bull riding team, today announced a multi-year partnership with the Boot Campaign in support of the organization’s tireless work to honor and restore the lives of veterans and military families through individualized, life-improving programs.

The Rattlers, the newest professional sports team to take Dallas-Fort Worth by storm, are one of eight founding teams in the groundbreaking PBR Team Series. During the regular season, the teams will compete in five-on-five games in a 10-event regular season leading into a national championship that will be decided in a double-elimination playoff tournament in November in Las Vegas. The Rattlers’ inaugural homestand, PBR Rattler Days, will be held Oct. 7-9 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Boot Campaign, now in its thirteenth year of serving veterans and military families across the U.S., launched its “YOU MATTER” initiative during the pandemic when the already-high military suicide rate increased by 20% due to factors including isolation, heightened anxiety, economic tensions and numerous deployments taking a toll on service members and the veteran community. During that time, the team at Boot Campaign received more than a 300% increase in applications for their comprehensive health and wellness program, which treats veterans with diverse health challenges, typically as the result of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or Traumatic Brain Injury, which are often contributing factors to the ultimate end of life.

“Recent research shows that more than four times the number of those who raised their right hand to protect and defend our freedoms have died on home soil by their own hand than those who were killed in action since 9/11. At Boot Campaign, we want to send a message to all who served that their service, their sacrifice and their life matters and has value,” said Boot Campaign CEO, Shelly Kirkland. “It’s going to take all of us – a collective public and private partnership – to help stop the steadily upward trend of suicide in the veteran community, which is why we're grateful the Texas Rattlers are joining forces with us in this fight to show veterans of all eras what so many need to see, hear and feel: YOU MATTER."

"It's a tremendous honor for the Texas Rattlers to officially announce our partnership with the Boot Campaign,” said Texas Rattlers General Manager, Mark George. “We made a commitment from day one that we would do everything we can to honor and support veterans, and this mission is central to what Boot Campaign is working towards across America. We look forward to helping them show gratitude to our nation’s veterans, brighten the holiday season for their families and provide high-touch, customized care to treat the root cause of invisible wounds of war."

The bull riding action for PBR Rattler Days at Dickies Arena begins at 7:45 p.m. CT on Friday, October 7, 6:45 p.m. CT on Saturday, October 8, and 1:45 p.m. CT on Sunday, October 9.

Tickets for the three-day event are on sale now, and start at $20, taxes and fees not included. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Dickies Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.

Photo courtesy of Josh Homer/Bull Stock Media