I watch people bowl for a living.  For at least part of the year I spend most of my waking hours watching bowling balls roll down a lane.  When you watch that much bowling, there aren’t many moments that stick out as memorable or significant.  There are only a few people in the last decade and a half whom I can remember the first shot I saw them throw.  These are the people who just have something special about them.  Even more than that, I can only remember a handful who, when I saw them throw a shot, convinced me I needed to bowl less and watch more because I was never going to beat that. 

The first time I saw EJ Tackett bowl was one of those moments.  I’ve never been more certain that somebody was going to be special.  The melding of fearlessness, unbelievable talent, athleticism, and competitiveness was apparent in a hurry. At Team USA Trials he played the gutter with zero fear of the ball going in, just full send on every shot.  At the US Open he didn’t care that he was surrounded by the greatest players in the world and he was a youth bowler, he was going to make good shots and beat them.  The fearlessness and self-assuredness was so much of what propelled EJ to great success so quickly.  There was no obligation to “pay dues,” just a love for the game and a willingness to compete.

At the US Open when EJ was still a teenager I drilled a Primal TV4 for EJ.  He was using urethane on fresh before it was cool and needed something to use as he transitioned during match play.  For a while after that we sent EJ samples in hopes that he’d be interested in joining the team.  Then, in October of 2012 we had a chat about him signing with Motiv. How this kid made it to 20 without a contract, I’ll never know.

Since then, EJ and Motiv have grown together in so many ways.  At his first PBA Tour events, the Winter Swing of 2013, EJ cashed in every event.  That summer, EJ became the second bowler to ever make a PBA televised final throwing the Primal Rage.  From there, we were off to the races, compiling nearly two dozen wins, multiple majors, three player of the year awards, and so many more honors.  Along with all of that, he’s helped us at Motiv with testing and product development and taken on the mantle of a team captain with the staff. 

As we prepare for a new look PBA League this season, EJ is the centerpiece of the Motiv team, as he should be.  EJ is our first home-grown superstar and a generational talent.  For the last 12 years I’ve watched EJ grow up and discover who he gets to be and it’s been a great source of joy.  In 12 years I’ve seen him solidify himself as one of the best to ever do it, start a family, open businesses, and become an ambassador for the sport.  I have no doubt he’d have been successful no matter who was with him on all of those shows, but I am so honored that it’s been me nearly every time. 

At Motiv, we are proud to say that every shot EJ Tackett has ever thrown as a member was with a Motiv bowling ball.  Congratulations on your third Player of the Year, EJ.  We are not surprised, but we are so proud.

- Brett Spangler, MOTIV PBA Tour Rep