Fox News just reported breaking news on the death of Evel Knievel...will add link

:rip:

:( R.I.P

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Evel Knievel, the hard-living motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills.

Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed 1974 attempt to jump Snake River Canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He suffered nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.

Although he dropped off the pop culture radar in the '80s, Knievel always had fans and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years. In later years he still made a good living selling his autographs and endorsing products. Thousands came to Butte, Mont., every year as his legend was celebrated during the "Evel Knievel Days" festival.

"They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel said. "People wanted to associate with a winner, not a loser. They wanted to associate with someone who kept trying to be a winner."

His death came just two days after it was announced that he and rapper Kanye West had settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel's trademarked image in a popular West music video.

Just heard this on the news. RIP :(

RIP :(

Yeah, just read that too - he had been really ill for years and apparently kept drinking after he got the new liver.

He sure was an icon in the 70s - a household name.

Oh man...this is sad. He was an idol of mine in the 1970's. I remember watching his jumps on television. I even had an Evel Knievel doll and motorcycle when I was a kid. He really was an icon. R.I.P. Evel.:(

rest in peace

How sad. The man led an adventurous life, to the fullest. He was a wild one, for sure. He always seemed so cool to me.

:rip: How sad I never saw this one coming.. especially at his age :(
He was the best!

I had just read three days ago when he met with Kanye West to settle out the lawsuit Evel had initiated regarding that video Kanye made. I guess Evel felt bad for what Kanye was going through regarding his mom and decided to try and just end the lawsuit in a friendly manner. He invited Kanye to his condo to deal with that issue.

The man abused his body for years, this doesnt come as any shock....I hope he didnt suffer too much.

:( R.I.P. Evel

R.I.P. I never thought I would say this the man just seem invinsible R.I.P. to one of my idols

I heard about this eariler tonight. What a shame.

Evel was an icon. Most of you young posters probably don't remember him, but there was at time when this guy was the biggest thing since sliced bread.
His stunts were major media events. The TV networks (especially ABC's Wide World Of Sports) would devote hours of coverage to his exploits.

I had the Evel Knievel stunt cycle toy when I was a kid, which was in every kid's toy box in the 70's.

I hope the History Channel replays the documentary they did on him a few years ago. Watch it if it is on.

I had the Evel Knievel stunt cycle toy when I was a kid, which was in every kid's toy box in the 70's.


Oh yeah - I remember that toy! Dressed in his red, white & blue jumpsuit on the bike! :lol: I can even remember how the commercial for it went.

Yep, there would be tons of media hype before his stunts. I remember inviting people over for his jump over the Snake Canyon - people made a party out of it (like the Thrilla in Manilla with Foreman and Ali).

Also, he was the inspiration for the Super Dave Osbourne character. ;)

Today at 5PM (EST) The History Channel will be rerunning thier 2 hour Evel Knievel profile.

It's pretty interesting stuff. CHeck it out.

Back in the 70's he was really popular with the kids. My brother had an Evel Knievel action figure. But on the downside my 10 year old nephew broke his leg trying to jump a ditch on his bike.:rolleyes:


RIP Mr. Knievel:(

The man sure was an icon. The 70's was EVEL KNIEVEL as far as sports was concerned. As mentioned above, the Wide World of Sports devoted much of their air time to Evel. I remember the hoopla that surrounded Evel's next daring stunt. You'd hear abt it for WEEKS before.


One of the many toys: