Dad Bravely Jumps On 'Unconscious' Son To Save Him From Raging Bull During Rodeo

By Stewart Perrie

A dad in the United States is being dubbed 'Father of the Year' after he no doubt saved his son from serious injury at a rodeo.

Cody Hooks was competing in the PRCA rodeo at the Bell County Expo Center in central Texas when he fell off his bull.

The 18-year-old was only seconds into his ride when he hit the deck and KWTX says he was knocked unconscious in the fall.

The bull continued to kick ferociously in the ring while bullfighters tried to contain it; all while Cody's motionless body lay on the floor.

Without skipping a beat, the teen's dad, Landis, bravely jumped in the ring and threw himself on his son to protect him.

The bull came back to Cody seconds later and slammed into him and Landis, however thankfully the blow was softened by his father's body.

"All I could think about was just covering him up because he couldn't cover himself up," Landis said to KWTX.

"I'd much rather do that than get in a cage and go cage fighting, I can promise you that.'

After posting the incredible clip onto Instagram, Landis' brave act has gone viral.

Cody wrote on social media: "Not one to post falling off, but big thanks to my dad @hooks.landis and the bullfighters last night in Belton, Tx could've been a hella lot worse."

Instagram/@cody__hooks

Thousands of people around the world have congratulated the dad for literally putting his body on the line to protect his son.

One person wrote: "A father willing to lay down his life for his son!"

Another added: "I am so very sorry to see this but your Dad is amazing. God bless you both!"

A third said: "Thats pure cowboy right there. Hope everyone involved is ok, and hats off to your dad."

Thankfully Landis wasn't completely out of his depth when he jumped on Cody.

KWTX says the father used to ride bulls as well and he says the sport is a lot harder than it looks.

"It's not just 'go jump on a bull', it's every day training, a lot of people don't see the behind the scenes stuff, they watch it on TV, they see guys being 90 all the time, but they don't see the hard work they put into it," he explained to KWTX.

Landis has also thanked everyone for praising him on social media.

"I didn't think it would go viral. I think it's kind of cool though how it just kind of sheds light on the rodeo lifestyle," he said.

Topics: rodeo, bull riding, Video, watch, Australia