Tavon bagsby
SPOTLIGHT: Tavon Bagsby’s Story of Resilience
In the heart of Tunica, Mississippi, at a JX2 team roping event, 21-year-old Tavon Bagsby from Columbia, Tennessee, was in his element. Known for his grit and love for the sport, Tavon was second callback in the short round, ready to rope his steer with precision. But in a split second, everything changed. As he turned the steer left, his horse stumbled, overstepping and crashing to the ground. The horse rolled completely over Tavon, and when it staggered back to its feet, Tavon remained entangled, his foot caught in the stirrup, his body limp and unconscious.
The arena fell silent as emergency responders rushed to his side. Tavon was airlifted to Regional One Trauma Hospital in Memphis, where doctors delivered a grim diagnosis: severe DAI (diffuse anoxal injury), also known as shearing of the brain. Within the first two days, he underwent two critical brain surgeries to stop the bleeding, and part of his skull was removed to manage swelling. For three weeks, Tavon was in the ICU and on the ventilator for the majority of the time. He started to become responsive and open his eyes some before being moved to the step-down unit. Time blurred as Angela and her family endured nearly four weeks in Memphis, holding onto hope.
After stabilizing, Tavon was transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia, a renowned inpatient rehabilitation facility. When he arrived, he couldn’t hold his head up or perform basic tasks. Yet, over the past four weeks, Tavon’s resilience has shone through. Now fully awake, he walks with assistance, talks to his family, and is beginning to reclaim memories. His left arm, contracting tightly, poses a challenge, but therapists are working tirelessly to restore its function. Tavon is relearning to walk, feed himself, and navigate a world altered by his injuries. With a surgery scheduled for May 30, 2025, to replace the removed portion of his skull, and an expected inpatient stay until mid-June, Tavon’s journey is far from over. Outpatient rehab will follow, ensuring he maximizes his recovery at Shepherd, a place Angela calls “amazing” for its transformative care.
40+ Team Roping Association’s Commitment to Giving Back
At the 40+ Team Roping Association, we believe in the biblical call to love our neighbors and help those in need, as taught in Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Our community is built on camaraderie, and when one of our own faces hardship, we rally together. Tavon’s accident has touched our hearts, and in the spirit of compassion and service, the 40+ Team Roping Association is proud to make a special donation to the Bagsby family to support Tavon’s medical expenses and recovery.
We invite you to join us in this act of giving. A GoFundMe has been established to help cover Tavon’s ongoing care, from surgeries to rehabilitation. You can contribute at Tavon Bagsby’s GoFundMe. Every dollar brings Tavon closer to reclaiming his life, and every prayer strengthens his family’s resolve. Together, let’s embody the spirit of community and faith, lifting up Tavon and the Bagsby family in their time of need.
In support of Tavon and his family, the 40+ Team Roping Association has made a special donation toward his recovery and we’re inviting others to join us at the following link: