Despite his fierce, sometimes intimidating exterior, Mauney has a massive heart for the sport and his peers. He isn't competitive against other riders—only against the bulls. In the locker room, he is famously a mentor, offering straightforward, invaluable advice to rookies. His decision to buy the bull that broke his neck and forced his retirement so it could live a peaceful life on his Texas ranch perfectly illustrates his personality: he holds no grudges, respects his opponents, and loves the animals deeply. He is a man driven by a simple, lethal combination of supreme confidence, a dark sense of humor, and an unbreakable cowboy code.