For bullfighters, life is full of bumps, bruises, broken bones and lots of pain — just ask Darrell Diefenbach and Mick Thompson, two bullfighters here for the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede.
Australian-born Diefenbach has been fighting bulls for more than 15 years with Professional Bull Riders Inc. and has experienced myriad injuries including a broken back, broken neck, broken pelvis, broken lower back, face reconstruction, broken leg, broken ankle, broken fingers, broken ribs and multiple concussions.
He began fighting bulls at age 17 in Australia before making the trip to the United States in 1994. He has won numerous awards on the bullfighting scene and earned himself the nickname, “The Thunder from Down Under.”
Thompson, a Tri-Cities native and professional bullfighter since 2000, has quickly become known in rodeo circles as one of the best cowboy protection bullfighters in the Northwest. He has been selected to protect bull riders at both the Columbia River Circuit and the Montana Circuit Finals rodeos and at event favorites such as the Kitsap County Fair & Stampede and the Black Hills Fourth of July Pro Rodeo in Belle Fourche, SD.
Both men took a break from their protection duties Tuesday, however, to visit patients at Harrison Medical Center’s Silverdale campus.
They toured the hospital speaking to staff and patients about what they do, attempting to bring some joy and comfort to the sick and injured.
One particular patient, 15-year-old Jonathon Fergus, a sophomore football player at Central Kitsap High School, was in the hospital due to an infection in his toe from a cut he received during a recent boating trip.
“It was so stupid,” Fergus said. “I tripped over my wakeboard and cut my toe. I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
The smallish cut became infected over the ensuing weeks prompting his mother and father, Mary Beth and Dave, to check him into Harrison. While there, Fergus underwent surgery to remove the infection. He even experienced a time when his fever rose to 105 degrees.
Tuesday morning, hospital staff spoke to Mary Beth and asked if she thought Jonathon would enjoy a visit from the bullfighters.
“I think he would really enjoy it,” she said. “It would be great.”
The former Central Kitsap Junior High, and current CKHS, tight end had been a bit down because of not being able to play or practice with his new high school team, according to Mary Beth. The opportunity to talk with fellow athletes seemed to be just what the doctor ordered.
Fergus was able to chat with the cowboys and even got autographed pictures from them, but Mary Beth was unsure whether he would be able to make it to the rodeo this year to watch.
“I don’t know if he will be able to go if he is on crutches,” she said. “Maybe we can just put him in a wheelchair.”
The tour was supposed to include a visit from Miss Kitsap Fair & Stampede, Katie Kitsap, Miss Rodeo WA and Miss Rodeo America, but a transportation issue prevented the ladies from attending the event until Thursday.
Fergus did not seem to mind and was in good spirits about his situation.
“Well, it doesn’t hurt,” he said. “And I’ll still be able to play football.”
