Evil Knivel's Last Stunt

Arguably the most renowned modern dare devil, Evil Knievel has died.

He gave the words fearless and stuntman new meaning. He was clearly an icon on the American cultural scene.  His reckless bravado, brought people both in person and on TV to witness his riveting perilous, acrobatic stunts who held their breath in wonder if he could overcome the fear of violent sudden death. More often than not Knievel would make the jumps he attempted but it’s the crashes that made him an indelible part of our lives and imaginations.

 It wasn’t sports in the classic sense it was more a death defying mechanized version of a bullfight with Kneivel the ultimate matador. No one wanted Kneivel to fail and get hurt but if he did many wanted to see it live. They were trying to vicariously overcome fear of failure pain and death. His reckless abandon and swagger produced a generation of motor cycle kooks who tried to imitate him. Ironically, while he always came out on top throughout his incredible life threatening stunts, it was his obsession with alcohol that finally did him in.  Kneivel had acute liver and lung problems that were caused by his incessant drinking binges.Kids who grew up in the 70’s will always remember a crazy man on a motorcycle that jumped over buses to prove he could do it and to make a lot of money.

To people outside the US he was just a crazy nut.