Cord McCoy


Cord Jarret McCoy is an American former professional rodeo cowboy who is best known as the 2nd-place finisher on The Amazing Race 16. Jet and Cord returned to compete in the eighteenth season of The Amazing Race, finishing in 6th Place. Jet and Cord returned for The Amazing Race 24 also known as "The Amazing Race All-Stars" finishing in 5th place.

Background

McCoy was born in Durant, Oklahoma, to parents Denny McCoy, a rancher and horse trader, and Janet McCoy, a professional photographer, McCoy grew up as a cowboy in the small town of Tupelo, Oklahoma.
He participated in his first rodeo competition in 1985 at age 5, after becoming interested in rodeo from his family. He was the catcher on his high school baseball team and qualified for the state tournament. He was a member of the Oklahoma high school team that won a national rodeo title and was a member of the Southwestern Oklahoma State rodeo team that finished second in the nation in 2000. He graduated from Tupelo High School with 13 other people. He attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Oklahoma and achieved a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.

Professional career

McCoy joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2001. In 2002, he qualified for the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo in bareback bronc riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding. In 2004, he won the average title at PRCA Xtreme Bulls Division II qualifying events in Clemson, South Carolina and at Old Fort Days in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Like many PRCA bull riders in the 2000s and 2010s, McCoy also competed in the Championship Bull Riding tour. He qualified for the CBR World Finals in 2005, as well as qualifying for the PRCA 's National Finals Rodeo that same year.
In 2005, McCoy's career went more professional.
In 2006, McCoy left the PRCA and CBR to join the Professional Bull Riders. As a result of winning enough money on the PBR’s minor league tour, then known as the Challenger Tour, he earned a pathway to compete on the organization’s premier series, then known as the Built Ford Tough Series. He qualified for the PBR World Finals in 2006, 2008-2009 and 2011.
The Cord McCoy Invitational is held yearly in the last week of May in Ada, Oklahoma, with Cord being the star of the bull riding event. He even has his own seating called "Cord Zone" during the event, where fans are sure to get a glimpse of him.
McCoy is a five-time International Professional Rodeo Association world champion and is ranked 15th overall in the world rankings according to the IPRA.
On June 15, 2010 it was announced that McCoy, with his brother Jet, would be the parade marshals for the Calgary Stampede parade that would take place on July 9, 2010.
In February 2017, he was inducted into the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Athletics - Hall of Fame.

Injuries

He spent 3 days in a coma and had 8 months of rehab before returning to the rodeo circuit.
Cord and his brother Jet competed on The Amazing Race 16. They won 4 out of the 12 legs, and was the first team ever to go from last place on a non-elimination leg, complete a Speed Bump, and come in first place on the next leg. They won a pair of sailboats, and trips for two to Patagonia, Maui, and Alaska. In the final leg, they were placed 2nd, ultimately losing the one million dollar grand prize and "The Amazing Race 16" winners' title to brothers Dan and Jordan Pious.

Placements during the Race

Cord, along with his brother Jet returned for the 18th season of The Amazing Race commonly known as . They won $5,000 each in Leg 5. However, in the 9th leg, they fell to last place after the Roadblock in Liechtenstein and lost even more time when they were U-Turned by the Harlem Globetrotters of Flight Time & Big Easy on a Double U-Turn. They were the only team to be U-Turned on a Double U-Turn, and were eliminated in the 9th Leg.

Placements during the Race

Cord, along with his brother Jet returned for the 24th season of The Amazing Race commonly known as The Amazing Race: All Stars. In Leg 1, they won two Express Passes. In Leg 4, they won a trip for two to London. In Leg 8, they used the Express Pass to bypass the Detour. In Leg 10, their season came to an end with a 5th Place finish due to being U-Turned by Leo & Jamal. They were the only team to be U-Turned on a Double U-Turn for the 2nd time, and were eliminated in the 10th Leg.

Placements during the Race

On November 1, 2009, Cord proposed to his girlfriend Sara while being interviewed by PBR in front of an audience. McCoy now resides in Tupelo, Oklahoma. He has three brothers, Justen Brent, JoRay C., and Jet Merrick, and one sister, Nikki. He also raises bulls. In October 2013, McCoy announced his retirement from bull riding at the conclusion of the PBR season that year.