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Better known as the good-looking cowboy who says, "Oh, my gravy"; Cord McCoy wasn't always a celebrity. McCoy, dubbed as the "smiling cowboy," started working on his family's ranch before he took the leap to television.
Cord and his brother, Jet, starred in Season 16 alongside his brother Jet and came in a close second. A fan favorite in the arena and on the television show, Cord is as polite on screen as he is off. Both he and Jet grew up in a small town in Oklahoma on a ranch where his love of the fast-pace adrenaline sport began.
Meeting Cord in 2010 at the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, quickly I understood why he is a fan favorite. I also learned that I had a lot in common with him. I didn't own a television either at the time. Cord, who recently got married, finally got a TV. It is "still in the box" sitting at his house. While in Vegas, he shared that he had yet to play the Amazing Race slot machine because it was "always full" when he went by. From that point on, I have learned how he is a chatter bug when engaged; and, always the image of a perfect gentleman.
Standing on the red dirt of the St. Pete Times Forum for the Tampa PBR event, Cord talked about how it is his brother, Jet's fault he is on the "Amazing Race."
"Jet called me one day and said 'I have a great idea. Two man team; racing around the world.' By time I got off the phone with him, I was ready to eat anything or jump off a cliff." So far, he and Jet have yet to eat anything gross. However, he tells fans to "keep watching."
Being brought up on a ranch, Cord never had a nine to five or steady paycheck job. However, that is one of the things that drive him. Being on the Amazing Race is no different. He takes his PBR mentality with him to the Amazing Race. "Some days it would be simpler to have a real job; to clock in and clock out and get a guaranteed check."
The most amazing aspect about being on TV for Cord is the "fans." He said no matter where he goes, he is recognized. He can't "hide" he is a "cowboy." "When you dress a certain way, people don't ask what are you, or what do you do. It is all pretty self-explanatory."
One of the more intriguing features about McCoy is that up until recently, he never owned a TV. "A lot of people are surprised by that. But I live on a ranch. There is always plenty to do. We come in after dark."
Cord does actually say, "Oh, my gravy," and did not realize how much he said it. "I didn't know I said it that much until I watched the first show. Now I actually notice it when I say oh my gravy." He goes over to him parents house to watch him and his brother compete in the Amazing Race season 18.
Not really knowing who he would like to work within the television industry, Cord has yet to get used to his fame. He is actually very humble when it comes to mentioning the newfound stardom. When it comes to the red carpet, he said, "I don't know about all that." Of course, while smiling.

