Cowboys Leighton Vander Esch Releases his Inner Cowboy in a New Series Cowboy Code

The NFL offseason is a time for relaxing by a pool, sightseeing or preparing for the upcoming season. But, for Dallas Cowboys’ linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, it’s time to release his true inner cowboy.

Now, this isn’t as farfetched as you’d think. The cowboy culture seeps through Leighton’s family, and Vander Esch learned about rope swinging growing up in Riggins, Idaho. Leighton’s wife, Maddy, competed at the Fort Worth Stockyards a few years ago, and Riggins is known for its annual rodeo.

In “Cowboy Code,” Leighton and Maddy put their rodeo skills to the test as they collaborated with World Champion tie-down roper Tyson Durfey and star barrel racer Lisa Lockhart as part of a project for Polaris Off Road. It’s a series that will be available on YouTube. The first episode premieres on Tuesday, July 26th, at 10:30 am central time (episodes will average about 1-2 a month in the limited series). The Vander Esch’s spent the day at Durfey’s ranch and rodeo training facility, learning and nourishing the ranch and rodeo life. Maddy and Lisa did barrel racing while Tyson, a calf-roping champion, gave Leighton some rope lessons.