Bullfighting's Blood Brothers

There is a new generation of matadors in Spain who bring more excitement and more spectators into the bull ring than there's been for some time. High on this list are two brothers, Francisco Rivera Ordonez and his kid brother Cayetano.

Last October, 60 Minutes correspondent Bob Simon reported on their exploits inside and outside the ring and there's an update: the Spanish government recently awarded Francisco, the older brother, with the Fine Arts medal - the highest honor any artist can receive.

It led to front page news and to a national scandal. Two previous winners of the award returned their medals in disgust, insisting that Francisco didn't deserve it. His brother Cayetano believes he certainly does deserve it, and after watching and reading this story, you'll understand why.

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Francisco Rivera Ordoñez has been fighting for 13 years. In fact, while 60 Minutes was Spain in Spain filming, he fought his 1000th fight. And the crowds couldn't get enough of him.

Cayetano, his kid brother, has to fight off the crowds. People beg to be touched by their icon. He has been fighting only three years, and although he is still a rookie, he's worshipped all over Spain. He is one of the highest paid matadors in the country.

In fact, the brothers are the two most eligible bachelors in Spain. They each fight around 60 times during the season, and occasionally fight on the same day in the same place.

"When you and Cayetano enter the bull ring together, the crowd goes crazy," Simon remarks.

Referring to Cayetano, Francisco jokes, "More for him, now, 'cause he's younger, he's taller."

Francisco and Cayetano are in different stages of their careers: Cayetano is still blossoming, while Francisco is beginning to think of retirement. The brothers don't like to fight together. They're terrified when the other is in the ring; something awful can happen.

And there's something else: "Of course, there's the competition," Cayetano tells Simon. "And I'm very happy when he's success…"

"As long as you succeed, too," Simon remarks.

"[As long as I succeed] more," Cayetano says.

It's not just fraternal rivalry that prods them onwards. They are both competing against ghosts.

Their grandfather, Antonio, was the greatest matador of the last 50 years. Hemingway, Orson Welles, Rita Hayworth, Grace Kelly all came to pay homage to the maestro. The boys' father was Paquirri, a legendary matador of his time.

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[cmkolano2]

torture and death is beauty?

[fransiscosbiggesetfan]

alright, Bullfighting is a huge part of hispanic culture and it is a beautiful art. Taking a bull to slaughter house is much more torturous, they are still using the meat from the dead bull, so there is nothing wrong with bull fighting.

[cmkolano2]

Many exellent comments against your blunder CBS. So what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to apologize? How are you going to make up for this? I suggest you do a show on the beauty of this animal, given to us by God for that reason, not for us to torture.

[jcantrell77]

Congratulations to 60 Minutes on a fantastic piece! It is frustrating (as an ex-pat from Brooklyn, NY who has lived here in Madrid for the past 20 years)to read the glut of comments here which show not the least bit of knowledge regarding what the spectacle is all about. First of all, it pretends to be neither fight nor sport.Until you have really experienced one, it pretty much defies explanation. But I know that this is not good enough for the rivers of pomposity and self-righteousness that characterize most of these posts. Indeed, these so-called educated opinions simply perpuate the long-engrained caricature of the arrogant yankee ...in the words of the Sundance Kid, "all mouth".

[charlottebakker]

The bullfighting coverage has been bothering me since it's airing. It was offensive and irresponsible journalism and beneath the reputation of 60 Minutes. I have not watched the program since.

[mmjohnson04045]

Quite honestly, I'm perplexed that CBS would air this story without even acknowledging that the "art" of killing an animal slowly for nothing other than entertainment purposes is considered a felony in most US states. Can we look forward to a documentary on dog fighting next month? Because those dogs were "bred" to fight also. Doesn't make it right and CERTAINLY doesn't make it entertainment. To do a story on bull fighters is fine, but responsible journalists would have challenged these clowns on the morality of what they do.
On a personal note, my husband and I were revolted by this story. We have always enjoyed 60 minutes, but will never again tune in after watching this story. I won't even go into how difficult it was to explain this story to my 5 year old who happened to walk in the room while it was on. I'm not a crazy animal rights activist...not a member of PETA...not even a vegetarian. But there's a difference between killing animals for meat and torturing animals purely for fun.

[heyyouasshole]

Is it really a heroic act to kill a bull when the odds are so far against the bull? Cowardly, I would say. Better to get into the ring against a real man with similar weapons, not that fighting other people isn't barbaric, too.

[heyyouasshole]

Like bullfighting? PLEASE READ. I can't tell you how much your story on Bullfighting hurt me. To see the bull tortured and then watch its eyes glaze over as it took its final breath just reminded me of the final moments of my father's lost battle with cancer in October. That is the only time I have ever watched someone's final breath and seen someone's eyes glaze over as life ended. My father faught like that bull to survive, but didn't make it either. The hope for my father that came with treatment was analagous to the red cape waved in front of the bull's eyes. So, where is the cancer in the bullfighting arena? It is the culture of killing for sport. This is the cancer. I couldn't sleep that night as I was so upset and angry. Naturally, I hoped the bull would win the fight, as his chances of survival were as small as my father's. Why anyone would consider such violence as sport is beyond me, who believes that all who are born have a will and a right to live. How can anyone take pleasure in watching one of nature's creatures pass from this earth, while this is my worst nightmare?

This kind of violence should not be shown during hours when children can see it, to say nothing of the sport itself. And that this episode glorified bullfighters without any critism whatsoever is simply insulting. I used to watch 60 Minutes with my mother when I was growing up. I was visiting here when she was watching 60 Minutes. I saw what was coming during the bullfight and begged her to change the channel, but did not manage to bypass this horrible scene, and I have been feeling the pain of re-experiencing seeing those eyes glaze over ever since. 60 Minutes has just lost a viewer who has been watching the program for over 35 years.

[AmericaninSpain]

First of all, CBS should not be chastized for showing the other, "unpopular" side of the story. That is, after all, what objective journalism is all about.

It's normal for a country will little more than 300 years of history to understand the concept of culture. Bullfighting is one of these arts - because I do consider it as so - that is deeply embedded in Spain's cultural fabric. It's true that here in Spain it's becoming less and less popular, especially with the younger generation, but in my opinion, something like bullfighting should not be made illegal, especially when it's something that is optional. Don't want to see the spectacle? Don't go.

These bulls are bred specifically in the best of conditions 5 years prior to their death - in better conditions than many of us and better than most of the meat the eventually ends up at your table.

The Rivera-Ordo?ez brothers represent a dying art, they represent bravery, sacrifice and tradition - a focus much more worthwhile than glorifying rehab-drawn starlets, singers that demean women and reality television that makes us dumber by the minute.

[heyyouasshole]

Again, this comment misses the point. Too many of us are becoming numb to the feelings of others, unable to see things from the point of view of other, especially the animals. If we are going to improve the conditions of this planet, we have to value life for life itself and respect it. This means we need to be able to demonstrate real empathy with other living creatures. Weather bullfighting is culture or not, we can do better by appreciating life itself. This is quite the opposite of glorifying killing. What kind of example does it create by killing for sport? Is this the attitude that will lead to a sustainable environment for our children? Killing should only be done out of absolute necessity, for it always entails destruction - to our selves, too. The next time you watch a bullfight, remember to stare into the eyes of that bull as the lights go out, and try to put yourself into that position. It is not a matter of whether I see it or not, it is a matter of respect for life and changing the attitudes of those that have numbed themselves of empathy. We need to be more sensitive to this respect, while de-sensitizing ourselfs to this respect only alienates our souls from humanity. The point is we should learn to care about animals, not exploit them, for our own good as well as theirs. Live and let live. Find a more useful source of entertainment such as dancing, socializing, taking care of pets.....

[heyyouasshole]

Isn't good journalism supposed to be critical? Is this good journalism simply because it supports your view? Good journalism should examine all sides of an argument.

[mmjohnson04045]

I'm sorry, but by that logic, slavery was part of the culture of America for hundreds of years...deeply embedded in the national fabric. Didn't like the practice? Well, don't own slaves then. People claimed Africans were bred for it. Yes, that was people, these are bulls, but the principal is the same. Just because somethings been done for hundreds of years, economy and culture revolved around it, that doesn't excuse unethical behavior, be it toward people or animals. At some point someone has to call foul. However, you are totally correct in your last two points. It's a tough call which is more deplorable in America; the farming industry or the entertainment industry, but two wrongs don't make a right, you know?

[nuriaquerol]

Dear American friends, As you may have heard we are having a great debate in Catalonia about the banning of bullfighting. We collected more than 180.000 official signatures which allowed us to bring the debate to the Parliament. Some of us were invited by the Comission of Environment to make a speech and give our point of view, there are still 5 speakers to come and there will be sometime for the political parties to take the decision. It is crucial to put as much pressure on them as possible, so any help from our animal friends from all over the world in crucial. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts :)
You can help us by signing here:http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=24&ea.campaign.id=4293&ea.param.extras=Source:website

[carriw]

Thank you and godspeed to you!! I will most definitely sign and pass along to friends and family! =)

[bdkennedy1]

I did not enjoy or appreciate this story that glorifies 2 men who enjoy slaughtering innocent animals for fun.

If you want to kill yourself doing something you think is fun, by all means go right ahead. There are enough stupid people on this planet, but leave the defenseless animals out of it and limit the slaughter to just yourself.

[Ascriptor]

The bullfighting is not just for fun. This represent the respect to the animals, On this fight man gives the opportunity to stand up for. I would like to invite to you to think about how are slaughtering the animals in the United States.
We are talking about a animal that has the best live that it possible, focusing on healthy, ecological environment, ? and just hurts for 15 minutes. Think about the life of the animals that you eat on every hamburger.
The bullfighter is founded on the respect to the bull along the centuries.

[carriw]

AMEN!! I too was horrified when I watched this episode. So much in fact, that it brought me to tears, and i had to change the channel. I am continuing to spread the word to anyone and everyone to boycott cbs, as much as possible, until they make up for what they did by producing an episode that rescinds their view on torture, exploitation, and abuse of any animal.