SUNRISE, Fla. (January 18, 2024) – Ahead of their highly-anticipated homestand on August 2-4 at Amerant Bank Arena, the Florida Freedom announced that Paulo Crimber will lead the team competing in PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series as Head Coach.

The Freedom will begin the league’s third season of five-on-five bull riding games in July, culminating with the 2024 Teams Championship in Las Vegas in late October. 

Crimber previously served as Co-Coach of the Arizona Ridge Riders in the league’s first two seasons.

“Paulo is a proven winner – a 10-time World Finals qualifier; a Brazilian sports legend; a teacher; a coach; a mentor; a family man. For someone living the real-life American dream, there’s no better place than the Florida Freedom,” said Heath Freeman, Owner of the Florida Freedom.

“I grew up loving the cowboys and the whole Western culture in America,” said Crimber. “I’ve always felt like an American at heart. It’s really the land of opportunity. In PBR, the Teams idea is genius and our future. I’m so honored to be part of the Florida Freedom and my goal is to bring a Championship trophy to Florida.”

Crimber, who arrived in America 26 years ago, is a legendary figure in bull riding, particularly among the Brazilian community. He and his wife Maria, who was recently honored with the Sharon Shoulders Award, presented to women who have made an impact on the sport of bull riding, have welcomed dozens of Brazilian bull riders into their home in Texas to help them transition to a new life in the U.S.  In July 2023, the two realized their dream to become American citizens.

Crimber grew up in Olímpia, São Paulo, a small town in Brazil five hours outside the capital city of São Paulo. There were always horses and cattle around, and he’d watch American Westerns, awestruck at the strong, honorable cowboys. At the age of 7, Crimber attended a bull riding event, setting him on a path towards riding at the highest level of PBR and eventually Head Coach of the Florida Freedom. The young boy milked cows and rode calves in the pasture. At 14, he competed in an amateur rodeo. By 16, he was winning professional events. At 18, he won the first round at the storied Barretos event, qualifying for the PBR World Finals to come to the United States.

While Crimber’s full-time bull riding career ended prematurely at 28 after he broke his C1 vertebra twice in one season, there is still a bull rider in the Crimber family. 

As soon as he turned 18, Crimber’s son John immediately began his PBR career. John Crimber won nine of 14 events at the lower levels and is now competing at the premier Unleash The Beast. On Nov. 11, while attempting just his second bull on the PBR’s premier series, he won his first Unleash The Beast round, riding Sky Walker for 89 points. John Crimber is viewed by Western sports press as a phenom with a very bright future ahead. All eyes are on him heading toward the 2024 Teams Draft. 

Stay tuned to PBR.com for more information about the Florida Freedom and 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series season.