Evel Knievel Dead at 69

[Belegon]

The star-spangled daredevil died today in Florida, apparently from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

I had Evel Knieval toys as a kid and watched his jumps. He was an icon of my youth. Perhaps not a great man, but a great entertainer and the possessor of an indomitable will.

I admired his courage/foolhardiness and his never-give-up attitude.

Godspeed, Evel.

http://www.evelknievel.com/

 

[impressive]

http://www.addis-welt.de/smilie/smilie/autobike/4092.gif

 

[jomar]

No kidding - I hadn't seen that. I hope the end was more peaceful than the rest of his life. Jumping the Grand Canyon - what a gimmick, eh. I still can picture that one crash. You know the one I'm talking about. I bet it's on YouTube now that I think about it.

 

[cheerful_deviant]

I had an Evel Knievel stunt set as a kid. I used to terrorize the cats with it. Believe it or not, you can still buy them:

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p1430b.jpg​

 

[Belegon]

I had an Evel Knievel stunt set as a kid. I used to terrorize the cats with it. Believe it or not, you can still buy them:

http://www.firebox.com/pic/p1430b.jpg​

I had that!!!!! or, at least I had something very similar...

and an extra motorcycle, and the SST version of the Snake River Canyon Sky Cycle...

 

[trysail]

He was an original. Of that, there is no doubt. As you have noted, he was an iconic figure. My pals and I originally became aware of him, as did a host of others, through an article in Sports Illustrated and faithfully followed his exploits. I don't think I'd be insulting his ghost if I said all of us thought the man was truly and certifiably crazy- but we, and many others, always get a kick out of eccentrics and characters.

Ride the sky, Evel !

 

[Salvor-Hardon]

That roar I thought was thunder must have been Evel revving that angelic Harley and jumping across the clouds.

Here's to ya Evel!

 

[Guest]

Riding your tricycle off the flatbed of a pickup truck does not guarantee motor vehicle flight.

It does guarantee stitches. (Even the cape didn't help.)

Rest in peace, Evel.

 

[TE999]

He was a truly unique individual.

A daredevil of the first rank, doing what he loved best.

I remember vividly many of his most spectacular jumps, and if his parachute hadn't accidently deployed I think he would have cleared the Grand Canyon.

Requiescat im pace star spangled one.

 

[SensualCealy]

Wow, all the 'heros' from my childhood are dying off.

Is that saying something?

RIP Evel! You will be missed.
C

 

[sutherngent985]

I had all the toys like others here and I cant tell you how many times I watched the movie with George Hamilton, even before video. I was glued to the TV every time he made a jump, including the Snake River jump. He was insane, crazy, meaner than hell and an icon. There will never be another as big as he was.

RIP Evel...may all your jumps in heaven be ramp to ramp and on both wheels.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

I heard they are going to stap his corpse to a rocket propelled motorcycle and shoot him over the grand canyon before they bury him.

 

[TxRad]

I heard they are going to stap his corpse to a rocket propelled motorcycle and shoot him over the grand canyon before they bury him.

You may be joking but don't give them any ideas. His son isn't nearly as crazy but he is more of a showman and loves money.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

I was going to marry him until he told me he needed 950cc between his legs to get it up.

Serious, he was an icon, just sad the vagaries of life got him. Something more theatrical would have seemed more appropriate.

The good die young(ish).