Akin has second surgery, still in critical condition
Rodeo

By Ed Godfrey

Published: March 13, 2007

Weatherford bull rider Lee Akin had a second operation over the weekend and remains hospitalized in critical condition after fracturing his skull during a bull riding event Thursday in Montgomery, Ala.

The 32-year-old Akin was injured during the Southeastern Livestock Exposition and Rodeo when the bull stepped on the left side of his head after he was bucked to the ground.

Akin's mother, DeBora Akin-Townson, said Sunday that doctors at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery had removed part of her son's skull Saturday to relieve swelling in his brain.

Akin is currently in an induced coma. An induced coma with this severe of an injury is very common and it allows the body to relax and recover more quickly.

"I'm believing that he will be healed,” Akin-Townson said. "He had the second surgery to allow his brain to expand and not create any additional damage."

Akin made the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's national finals in 2001, finishing third in the world in earnings. In 2005, he made the Professional Bull Riders World Finals for the fourth consecutive year and also appeared on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Akin-Townson said doctors were unable to remove a blood clot in her son's brain because doing so was too dangerous.

"We're praying that that dissipates and we're asking for prayers,” she said. "I've had calls from places you wouldn't believe, Europe and all over the place, telling me that they're praying.”

Fans can send messages to Akin and his family on the PBR's Web site, www.pbrnow.com.

•McBride wins again: After not riding a bull three weeks ago during the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Challenger Championship at the Ford Center, Elk City's Justin McBride hasn't been beaten.

He has won the last two PBR events and has widened his lead in the 2007 world championship race. McBride won last weekend's PBR event in Kansas City and the previous one in New Orleans.

McBride, the 2005 PBR world champion, earned $72,000 in Kansas City. He had the highest scoring ride, earning a 91 on Dr. Proctor.

With his second consecutive win, McBride increased his lead over second place J.B. Mauney of North Carolina to 359.5 points. McBride has won four of 11 events this season and $213,510 in PBR earnings.