If there’s a manual for becoming a legend, John Crimber likely misplaced his somewhere between Sunset, Texas, and the highway that ends at the PBR chutes.

Because the 20-year-old Florida Freedom superstar isn’t following anyone’s roadmap — he’s drawing his own.

Inside Desert Diamond Arena on the last Sunday of the Teams Series regular season, Crimber did it again. Facing the fiercest MVP race of the PBR Teams era, he rose above pain, pressure and pure chaos to capture his second consecutive PBR Teams Live Legendary MVP title.

Brady Fielder’s ride had just pushed him into first place — for a moment. But moments are all Crimber needs. On his final out of the regular season, he delivered an 86.25-point ride on Smooth Violation, leap-frogging the Aussie and sealing the deal by 84 points. Teammate Thiago Salgado, who had a death grip atop the MVP race for much of the regular-season stretch, fell just short in the final weekend — the two turning what could’ve been a rivalry into a brotherhood built on respect and camaraderie.

Crimber wrapped the year 25-for-34 (73.53%), while Fielder finished 24-for-32 (75%).

“I’m so blessed,” Crimber said afterward, still grinning through the dust. “Riding against guys like him [Brady Fielder] makes us ride good, and I’m just very thankful to be part of this team and ready for Vegas.”

Busted Up and Still Buckin’

This MVP run hurt — literally.

In May at the 2025 World Finals, Crimber broke his collarbone. During the Teams Series playoff push, he fractured three ribs and separated his AC joint, yet never missed a game.

“It was tough,” he admitted. “I couldn’t get on practice bulls for a few weeks, and it sucked. But you’ve got to be tough and know God has a plan. Everything happens for a reason, and it made this MVP a lot sweeter.”

That blend of grit and grace is the Crimber code: never dramatize the pain, just out-ride it.

Raised Tough, Rides Tougher

Where does that stubborn streak come from? His dad — and coach — Paulo Crimber pointed the finger.

“He gets it from his mom,” Paulo laughed. “She’s tough. I tell him he’s fine. He knows the pain and knows he can take it.”

Paulo sees in his son a rare mix of competitive edge and empathy. “He loves riding bulls. He loves everything about it,” he said. “But what amazes me most is his heart. Through the year he was trying to help Thiago because he was number one [in the MVP race]. He always puts other people first. That’s what God blesses.”

And under the bright lights? “He reacts under pressure more than anybody I know,” Paulo said. “He’s cold-minded. That’s what it takes to finish something like this.”

The Kid Who’d Ride in Pajamas

Crimber’s love for bull riding borders on obsession. He’s been chasing buckles since before he could spell the word — mutton-busting across Brazil and the U.S., winning more than 20 titles and prizes ranging from motorcycles to a bicycle and even a cow.

Fast-forward, he’s the No. 1 overall draft pick in PBR Teams history and the youngest rider ever to surpass $1 million in career earnings.

He’s still a kid at heart — just one with 16 bulls. Between Biscuit, his “baby” Pookie, a bag of Hot Cheeto Puffs and a Monster Energy in hand, he rides to a soundtrack he calls “rap and heartbreak.”

And sometimes, he just climbs on for fun.

There was the now-legendary North Carolina moment when he jumped on a bull wearing shorts, no shoes and a ball cap — because apparently, “no shoes, no shirt, no service” doesn’t apply when you’re built for eight seconds.

Then there’s the practice clip from last season when he got flipped during a dismount, landed facing the bull’s rear end and somehow held on for another eight seconds.

That’s John. He’d get on a bull in pajamas if you let him. As Paulo put it, "he rides for love, not for fame or money — and that’s what makes him great.”

Faith in the Fight

That love — for the sport, for his teammates, for the lifestyle and for the Lord — keeps him grounded.

“For me to be back-to-back MVP, there’s only one person to do that, that’s José,” John said. “He’s a guy I looked up to my whole career. To be at the same level as a guy like him means a lot. And having teammates like Thiago helps me — it holds me accountable to do my job, because he’s doing his.”

Leme and Crimber: Two Cowboys, One Standard

Before Crimber, only one rider had ever gone back-to-back as PBR Teams Live Legendary MVP — José Vitor Leme in 2022 and 2023.

Leme’s run was mythical: 42 rides in 58 outs (73%) with nine 90-point rides. Crimber’s two-year mark now stands at 54 rides in 77 outs (71%) and seven 90-point rides — numbers that put him firmly in Leme’s orbit, yet stamped with his own brand of poise and power.

He’s not following anyone. He’s writing his own history.

Big Buckle Energy, Small-Town Dreams

Despite the spotlight, Crimber remains disarmingly grounded. When asked what he’d do with the $100,000 bonus, John didn’t even blink: he’d buy a house.

“Yeah, we’ve been looking,” John said.

Paulo added with a grin, “He wants to invest some of the money he won last year — for taxes, sure — but also to start something that’s not gonna blow away in bulls. It’s gonna help him.”

That house will be in Sunset, Texas — fitting irony for a cowboy whose story still feels like sunrise.

Paulo said he couldn’t be prouder — his son isn’t chasing paydays or fame. At just 20, he’s thinking long-term, focused on the ride and the life he’s building beyond it.

Next Up: World Title

When asked what’s next, Crimber grinned. “World champ,” he said. “That’s my ultimate goal — win a world title, and hopefully one with our team too. That’d be pretty dang cool.”

Paulo didn’t flinch. “I think John’s gonna win way more than three [World Titles],” he said. “He just hasn’t had the luck yet — broke his collarbone, drew tough bulls — it's just not his time yet.”

Living Legendary, Still Riding Hungry

At just 20, Crimber has already won the 2024 and 2025 PBR Teams Live Legendary MVP, become the youngest rider in PBR history to cross $1 million in career earnings and proved he can outlast, outwork and out grit anyone in the sport.

But he’s still hungry.

“Shoot,” he said with a laugh. “Now, today we’re gonna celebrate. Tomorrow’s back on the grind. We’ll get on practice bulls every day this week, and be ready to go.”

Back-to-back Live Legendary MVPs. A team chasing a championship. A house waiting in Texas. And a future as wide open as West Texas.

At 20, John Crimber is already living legendary — and somehow, his story’s still only getting started.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media