Broc Raiford at X Games NOLA
The MoonPay X Games Championship's debut in New Orleans will serve as a homecoming for a local competitor. Destrehan, LA BMX rider Broc Raiford is preparing to compete in the Men's BMX Street category on Friday, June 24, a sport he found a love for early on.
Broc Raiford's Beginnings
Biking came to Raiford naturally, who began riding a two-wheeled bike as a 2-year-old. He began training his skills around 8 years old and turned pro at 18, though he had offers to ride professionally as a 14-year-old.
Raiford tried team sports, including baseball and basketball, but continued returning to BMX, enjoying the creativity a solo sport allowed.
"I love the self-expression it gives you, being able to choose your own outfit and perform the moves you want," Raiford said. "I love that there's no coach and no rigid structure."
After a long successful career, his love for the sport persists.
"It's still something that I enjoy doing when times get tough," Raiford said. "I still choose to ride my bike because it brings such a sense of calm and enjoyment that not too many other things can."
That love for the sport is what got him through one of the toughest experiences of his career.
Raiford's Injury & Return
A knee injury sustained at the X Games in 2023 nearly ended his competitive career, taking him out of the circuit for almost two years. The difficult recovery forced him to reevaluate his approach to the sport, knowing that a full return was not guaranteed.
"It took a lot of dedication, a lot of discipline, to get myself back and get [in] enough shape to be considered one of the best in the world again," Raiford said. "There were times that were so uncertain during my recovery that really didn't give me the reassurance that I would ever make it back."
Those fears never came to be as Raiford made a full return, competing in his first X Games since the injury at X Games Sacramento in June 2026. Though he did not medal, it provided the thrill he missed for more than a year.
"Getting to step back on the course, it feels like a gold medal to me," Raiford said. "Having this opportunity again is unreal and anything above that is just icing on the cake."
Return is reward enough, but Raiford says he still plans to put on a show and take another run at an elusive gold medal.
Raiford's Family Motivation
Family served as one of the biggest motivators in Raiford's recovery as they have throughout his career. That family connection, Raiford says, is the most important thing in his life and one that even his love for BMX cannot surpass.
"There is nothing in this world that could replace them for me," Raiford said. "The love that I have for them and the bond I have with each and every one of my family members makes me emotional."
Raiford grew to consider his parents role models, now understanding the sacrifices they made.
"I'm just very thankful for their support, and what they've done for me, and what they continue to do for the family," Raiford said. "You know, it's, it's, they're very selfless people."
Raiford's Passion for Art
Creativity and self-expression have been the two biggest factors in Raiford's love for BMX; those two aspects led to another one of his passions: art.
When he is not on the course or training, you can find Raiford indoors working on his art, often paintings.
"[Art] is my escape from the obligation and pressures of competing and trying to be the best," Raiford said.
Raiford has also found opportunities to share his artwork, working with his sponsors to create and sell custom-etched bike stems. That creative work with his sponsors, Raiford says, adds something unique to the sport.
"They've allowed me to do some creative projects with them, which is really cool," Raiford said. "I'm trying to offer something a little more fun and different to the BMX community."
His artistic mindset also turned Raiford on to tattoos. Two of the most important, a fleur-de-lis and an outline of Louisiana on his upper arm, showcase an appreciation for the place that made him.
Raiford Honors Louisiana
Throughout his career, Raiford has demonstrated a commitment to the sport of BMX in Louisiana through both personal projects and his sponsorship with Red Bull.
He has filmed two videos with Red Bull that he fought to shoot in Louisiana. Raiford's first Red Bull video features him riding a BMX bike on a Mardi Gras float, while the second video, releasing Wednesday, July 22 at Emporium Arcade Bar on St. Claude Avenue, takes a much more ambitious route.
"We went down to Lafitte and built a floating BMX course on the bayou," Raiford said. "It almost captures what it feels like to be in southern Louisiana, which will always be home for me."
He also started a personal project, an Instagram account named "louisiana.bmx" in May, that he uses to showcase local BMX riders while also posting Q&As and highlight clips. His goal is to show riders they don't have to be from the regions that have a heavy influence on the sport to enjoy it and be successful.
"There are people out here in southern Louisiana doing this just like they are in places like California, New York, or Europe," Raiford said.
Raiford says he hopes the X Games event in New Orleans will help grow action sports in Louisiana.
"It's a great way to expose the younger generation to different sport options out there other than the traditional and team sports that we've seen in southern Louisiana," Raiford said.
