As a grown man of nearly 57 I have many memories but when ever I think of the most couragious stand-up man I have ever known outside my father it would always come right back to The persona of "Evel" Knievel and even when you failed your determination to stand and wave to all of us and assure us and your family you were OK showed us all that there should be nothing in our lives that could get to us so much that we couldn't stand back up and give alittle wave.
In an interview with some reporter after being asked about your insistence to go ahead with the Snake River jump after knowing it was 50/50 at best you said simply...."Do you know who the hell I am?"
Well Robert we have always known Who The Hell You Were.....see you sometime later on, BUD
I remember very few things about my childhood. But I remember you were part of it. I remember playing with all the toys and pretending I was Evel Knievel. Thank you for being part of my childhood.
I spent my childhood watching Evel on Wide World of Sports jumping his motorcyle and spilling himself over trucks, fountains and pavement. To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan, I was one of those kids that couldn't wait for the next crash. While I hate to admit it, the thrill of Evel's jumps was waiting for the crash landings.
I remember thinking when he jumped the Snake River Canyon that he was completely out of his mind; but I watched with my dad, waiting for the rocket to slam into the canyon wall. That was my memory of Evel Knievel - until last year.
I never knew Evel, he was simply a distant childhood memory, but fate led me to meet Kelly Knievel, Evel's eldest son, and his wife Shelli. Through my work, my wife Abbie and I struck up a business relationship with the Knievels and subsequently a friendship. Recently, we were entrusted with the extreme honor of building Evel's webisite. Through the course of building the site, we got a first-hand glimpse of Evel Knievel, the American Daredevil - Abbie and I spent months learning about Evel, reliving his life through chats with Kelly and Shelli, Evel's wife Krystal and thousands of photos, videos and newspaper clippings. I never imagined how much he touched the hearts of so many people until then. He truly was a great American Hero.
We never got a chance to meet Evel, but I spoke to him for the first time the day before Thanksgiving, and while I would never want to appear "star-struck" I know the phone was shaking in my hand when he came on the line and thanked me for building his website. He spoke to me like he had known me for years, and I was immediately at ease - I was just talking to my friend's father.
I have seen first-hand the outpouring of comments, cards and letters from fans all over the world, and I have been truly amazed at the magnitude of people who have been touched by Evel Knievel. I should not be surprised though, Evel is just like his son.
The world lost a great man - their daredevil, Icon and Hero, but to me, the biggest loss of all is that my friend lost his dad.
You are the greatest Evel, I will always remember what an incredibly inspiring human being you are. My childhood would definately have been a lot more boring without Evel Knievel! Speaking for my family you will be missed terribly.
My sympathy to Evel's Friends and Family, it was a shock when I heard the news in fact I didn't believe it Evel Knievel was one of those people you just assumed would be around forever.
As a young boy, I would watch each of the ABC Wide World of Sports broadcasts of Evel's jumps with awe. I was completely spellbound as the image of this man and his feat became permanently etched in my mind as he once again put everything including his life on the line in his quest to achieve the impossible. By taking command of those human traits that tend to aid in our preservation, yet dampen our progress--such as fear--the impossible became possible. The influence that this had on me was huge. There was no room for mediocrity in Evel's endeavors, every detail of the performance and its presentation represented the absolute best there was. This never came across as a display of excess, rather it impressed upon me that if one aspires to be the worlds best in their endeavor, then one must not only strive to be the best, one must also represent what it is to be the best. Little did I realize at the time, I was witnessing the efforts of a true pioneer paving the way to what would become a significant part of my life's journey.
Twenty some odd years later, I was calling upon those early images etched into my memory as if they were a reference text. This was the summer of 1997, and I was among several dozen others who all were undeniably inspired in some manner by Evel during childhood. This was rather apparent, as we each had chosen to dedicate ourselves to pursuing a variety of unknown and often treacherous paths that in a number of years would bring us together to partake in what was to be a massive spectacle of an event that celebrated the essence of the human spirit that strived to attain new heights. In many ways, this event borrowed so much from the spectacular events that Evel had pioneered. The event was the X Games, and for each of us, it was now our turn to lay everything on the line as we tossed aside our fear. Like our mentor, we strived to give our best possible performance for those who came to watch us live as well as the millions of living rooms we were being broadcast into around the world. Evel, I hope we made you proud!
Your legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come.
Jarret 'DocGoFast' Ewanek '97 and '98 X-games Pro Street Luge '98 X-Games Downhill Skateboard Gravity Formula One world speed record
I would like to express my deepest simpathy for your family during this time. evel knievel was a hero for me growing up and I wish there was more I could do for your family. If there is anything I could do please call me @912-729-4560. Sincerely George Tweedy
R.I.P MY FRIEND.. I GREW UP CHEERING YOU AND YOU SON ROBBY ON.. GOD BLESS YOU EVEL. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAY YOU ALL FIND THE COMFORT YOU NEED. YOU ALL WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS.. GOD SPEED.. BRYAN RELLA....
R.I.P Evel! you have always been my Hero. im a pro Stuntrider in Australia and Evel has been my inspiration! i have Evels autograph down my forearm with his trademark number 1 at the end. My 8 month old son was Christened with Evel as his middle name!
God speed Evel, you will always live on in my family!!
My father owned a gas station way back when which I own now.I remember seeing Evel for the first time and I was hooked. My Dad bought me a yZ 80, I wanted to be like Evel,I think every kid did.I put two cars side by side between two mounds of stone behind the shop and jumped them.They were small , a Volkswagen and a falcon. He will always be in my heart.I have been riding ever since and hope to untill whenever.Ride Free
Evel was an inspiration to me too. I remember watching him jumping in the 70's.
Then dragging my bike out on the gravel road in front of the house. The
MX80 was stuck on full revs and top gear, so you rode it on the kill
switch (dad wasn't much for maintenance).
I set up a plank of wood for a ramp about 1-2ft high, got a big pile of
bale twine out of the hay shed. Pushed the bike back about 100m roll
start (Burt Munroe style), got my brother to light the bale twine,
behind the ramp, and flew at it. Great lauch celared the fire easily,
only to forget to shut the kill switch as i left the ramp, causing the
bike to rotate mid air and land on the back wheel on the gravel ridge
and step out sideways from underneath. Needless to say fair bit of
gravel was fed into my hip, down the jeans. Still remember my family
scrubbing the gravel out in the bath of detol.
So had a bit of a wake for Evel yesterday. Watched every vid i could find and got
the bike out for a fang around the back yard, after a good dose of
Whiskey and beer chasers.
You just made the biggest jump ever Evil...............Happy Landings Forever......................You will be so dearly missed by all of your fans worldwide. I have spent the last 2 days on the internet looking at old pic's of your jumps and of yourself and have found myself at times in tears. You were my Hero as a kid and still are. You made us very proud to be americans. Rest in Peace my friends, you will always be with me.................. &nb sp; Mike Tilger / Elkton, MD
When I was a kid I had a Evel Knievel doll with the bike. It was the coolest thing I owned. He embodied true grit and determination. In my head I am still that young with the same aspirations and dreams. Thanks for the memories and god speed. Your legend will live on.
