Evil Knievel died today. What's your best memory of him?

Answer 1

Well…his leap over the Grand Canyon was met with stifled yawns from around the world. Later that same year, his attempt to drive his motor cycle off the Empire State Building was once again met with derision and sheer, utter boredom. He needed something more impressive, more daring. ABC Wide World of Sports was shelling out big money for National coverage and was quite frankly about to pull the plug on Evil Knievel. It was then that he came up with his most stunning idea. Why not drive his motor cycle off of a moving plane onto a person? The more he thought about it, the more he liked it. He would leap from a plane at a high altitude, on his motor cycle, and attempt to land on someone on a soft alfalfa field below. He presented the idea to ABC, and they loved it! But who would be stupid enough to be the bulls eye on the ground below? What person needed money bad enough?

At that time, Rory Emerald was becoming famous for surviving car accidents. He was paid well for standing in the middle of a highway and letting automobiles crash into him at high speeds. He was a prototype for the Crash test dummy. For some reason, he was able to withstand these severely traumatic events with nary a scratch on his lithe body. “it’s all about conditioning” he commented when interviewed by Howard Cosell of Wide World of Sports. He was approached by ABC, and offered $100,000 to accept the role of Bulls eye target for the stunt, which was tentatively scheduled by Saturday, May 17, 1976, just outside of Houston, Texas. An estimated 30 million viewers were glued to their TV sets that balmy Saturday afternoon. Weather conditions were wonderful, and the Piper L-35 gained an altitude of 11,342 feet before Evil drove out the side door, full throttle.

Evil flew through the sky, like a descending hawk, going for it’s prey, the nose of the bike pointing straight down. The crowd gasped as the motorcycle landed right on Mr. Emerald’s testicles, and the orgasmic groan that emitted from Mr. Emerald’s throat was captured by a mike placed near his head. The incident brought world wide fame to both the rider and to Rory Emerald. The infamous “Family Jewels Jump” was one of the most famous and successful jumps of Mr. Knievel’s illustrious career, and basically put Rory Emerald on the map. The interview, conducted right after the jump, by Howard Cosell is also a landmark in television history.


so basically his "Family Jewels Jump" is my best memory

Answer 2

Sorry, had to check the news to verify because this has been posted on YA before.
Evil Knievel is a part of Americana, tradition, just like watching tractor pulls, fireworks, going fishing, and skipping a day of school to go deer hunting.
Never personally attended any of the stunts but remember the time he got hurt so badly they thought he'd never pull off another stunt.

Answer 3

I'm (40) so it's been a while but when we were little my brother and I had Evel Knievel and Dare Devil Debi toys. They were action figures on motorcycles and you put them on this ramp and cranked the handle and they would shoot off across the room. It was so cool but they irritated my dad so we didn't get to keep them long.

Answer 4

His name was very famous.
And thats my memory.

Saying his name was really fun.
But sadly its going to die down how much I say it now :[
Although I hope not.

Its kinda weird that he died at age 69.

Answer 5

his daring was an inspiration and i loved to watch him in every jump he tried....