The Maverick of the Rodeo

Maverick Griffin stands out at a rodeo for far more than his leopard print chaps. A young man with great talent in both the bareback and bull riding events, rodeo is Maverick’s happy place.

  His story has been riddled with rodeo from the start, attending his first rodeo at just 3 days old. His dad was competing, and the rodeo was not far from the hospital, so Maverick was introduced into the family tradition as the third generation.

    His great uncle was a stock contractor and helped start the Missouri Rodeo Cowboys Association (MRCA) and the Mo-Kan Youth Rodeo Association. His dad, Bret Griffin was a tough competitor in the bull riding and his uncle, Billy Griffin, cleaned up in the bareback events.

   While he was a part of rodeos for years, Maverick didn’t start competing on his own until he was 15 years old. He attended a Cody Custer bull riding school and got tips from other well-known rough stock riders. He is always learning how to better his craft and devotes himself to physical fitness with a special focus on balance. When not at the gym, he incorporates aspects of fitness into his daily life, such as watching tv while standing on a weighted medicine ball.

  Maverick’s drive to be the best he can be extends beyond the competition itself. Every time he climbs into the chute, he tries to stay playful and remember that it is all supposed to be fun. He often interacts with the crowd, enjoying spending time talking with children and those who are feeling the fever that comes with loving rodeo.

 His greatest support comes from his dad and uncle who encourage and push him to be the best he can be. With these two men motivating him, he has developed a no quit attitude, and has put it to the test during his share of adversity.

  In 2018, Maverick was kicked in the head by a horse, and wound up in ICU for a week. He rallied but faced speech therapy and having to relearn how to do everything on a horse and many other tasks that previously came naturally. He wasn’t allowed to ride for nine months, but when he did get back covering rough stock, he was reminded how much he loved it, and he was as good as ever. In fact, in 2019, he was named All-Around Champion for the MRCA.

  He remembers the moments that make rodeo such a special family event beyond the buckles, such as a rodeo in Leon, Iowa when he was 16. He found out he was riding a former NFR bull and was excited to cover it. As he was climbing on the bull with his dad pulling the rope, he noticed a figure come up to help. He glanced up and realized it was PBR world finalist and NFR qualifier Cord McCoy. Maverick was awestruck, and laughingly remembers his dad told him he needed to pay attention to his ride.

    Today he competes in the MRCA, the United Rodeo Association (URA), the International Pro Rodeo Association (IPRA), and even has his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) permit. His favorite horse to cover is 056, “Big Cass” from the C.R. McKellips Rodeo Company and his favorite bull is King Silver from High Stakes Rodeo Company. He has ridden bulls on the beaches in Florida, and seen unique areas like Palestine, TX while traveling for competitions, mentioning the changing ecosystems and landscapes throughout various regions. He one day hopes to be coming out of the multicolored chutes at Pendleton.

    Between his kindness and winning smile, he is easy to recognize, but stands out extra at significant events when he pulls out his trademark leopard chaps. They were his dad’s chaps when his dad was competing and were sewn by a friend when his dad tore his chaps at a rodeo and needed a pair for another rodeo the next day.

   Whether wearing the chaps, covering bulls and broncs, or just promoting positivity, Maverick carries on the family tradition, while making a name of his own.