Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
Ezekiel Mitchell, Rattlers, during the first round of the Nampa Unleash The Beast PBR.
It’s been three months since Ezekiel “Blue” Mitchell swapped one of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR) top teams for a rival — and somehow, it feels like he was always meant to wear the Texas Rattlers’ logo.
At least that’s what he looked like at the first-ever Texas Rattlers media day, held at TX Whiskey Ranch. Before the festivities and Q&A section of the event, Mitchell was all smiles as he posed for a photo next to a larger-than-life image of himself in the events area of the ranch’s campus. Last year, Mitchell was named the official spokesperson for TX Whiskey. So, this place is all but familiar to him. However easy he might seem now, his journey to the Rattlers and the sport of bull riding was anything but.
Stephen Montoya
Growing up in Rockdale — a town just outside of Houston — Mitchell had no rodeo pedigree, no seasoned mentor, no inside track — just a fierce determination and a laptop. At 14, while other kids were playing Fortnite, Mitchell was watching videos of former PBR star Dustin Elliott and tinkering on a homemade metal bull in his backyard, trying to stick longer than anyone would have expected.
By 16, he’d mounted his first real bull, a gut-twisting debut that made it obvious this kid was serious. He eventually landed with the Austin Gamblers, one of the PBR’s original eight teams, which has grown to ten over the last two years. While on the Gamblers, Mitchell held his own against the sport’s best — until 2024, when he was given the boot. He came roaring back with the Texas Rattlers, and so far, this season, he’s riding at a respectable 44.83% — 13 qualified rides out of 29 attempts — with an average score of 84.06 points. Add in his role in the team’s perfect game in Nashville and the Texas Cup win over his old team, and it’s safe to say he’s made the cut — both literally and figuratively.
Three months into his tenure, Mitchell describes the move as less a career calculation and more a matter of fate. “It was all in God’s design,” he says. “I knew [Rattlers Coach Cody]
Lambert had something to offer me that I hadn’t found anywhere else.”
And Lambert’s influence is unmistakable. “He’s a mentor, motivator, and a great guy. I feel like I’ve moved differently, ridden differently. A lot of that’s credit to him.”
The Rattlers’ training environment has been equally transformative for Mitchell.
“We might not look like the most polished bull-riding team on paper, but everyone’s unique. Coach Lambert can meet you wherever you are and help you be better. Practice isn’t just about the workout — it’s about giving everything in a short amount of time. We all want to be better than each other, but we’re on a level playing field.”
Mitchell emphasizes that the Rattlers’ approach goes beyond the arena.
Andy Watson / Bull Stock Media
Ezekiel Mitchell rides Farris Cattle/Big Schott Rodeo’s Bamboozle for 87 during the first round of the Nampa Unleash The Beast PBR.
“Everything in bull riding correlates to real life. If I don’t put full effort into my life, I won’t get what I need. Lambert pushes you to be your best, and if you can’t take it, you won’t survive. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything — he gives you the truth every day.”
Looking ahead, Mitchell’s goals are clear: “First, I have to ride whatever bull I’m running. I can’t hit any other goals unless I do that right.”
This means Mitchell needs a high riding percentage to make it to the finals.
“I just want to enjoy it and do things right and learn, so I'm not going to put the cart before the horse there,” he says. “I just want to make us the first team to have two titles. If I can do that, I'd be grateful and humbled by that, and that's kind of what I'm looking forward to.”
