Evel Kinevel
Evel Kinevel has contributed more to extreme sports and motorcycling than any other athlete to date. Evel’s full name is Robert Craig Kinevel, given by his parents Chase and Ann Kinevel. His was born in Butte, Montana on October 17, 1938. It didn’t take long at all for young Robert to gain interest in the world of motorsports. In fact he attended a Joie Chitwood Auto Daredevil Show when he was only eight, he credits that show as being the main influence of his later career choice.
Evel dropped out of high school during his sophomore year and began work at the Anaconda Mining Company. His reckless nature got the best of him however. One day at work while Evel was driving an earth mover he pulled a motorcycle stunt "wheelie" and took out the cities power lines. This left the city without electricity for several hours and of course Evel was dismissed from his mining duties. Antics such as this followed Robert all his life in fact a later event even lead Robert to his well known name “Evel Knievel”. It happened in 1956; Evel had started a police chase, and pushed his motorcycle to its limits until he couldn’t maintain control and wrecked. He escaped with his life and a place to sleep for the night. Robert was charged with reckless driving and taken to prison. The night guard happened to comment that “Awful Knofel” (William Knofel) and “Evil Knievel” were the residents for the night. Robert later chose to use the spelling “Evel” in order to match his last name and also drop the negative connotation of the word “Evil”.
Without question Evel Knievel is a true athlete as well as an over-the-top thrill seeker. These qualities are what lead Evel to participate in activities such as ski jumps, rodeos, and even service in the armed forces throughout the 1950’s. When Evel returned to Butte from his time serving in the army, he met his wife Linda Joan Bork (who was later replaced by Krystal Kennedy). After his marriage Evel’s Interest in hockey became his main focus. He played in the minors briefly, but soon realized that he wasn’t destined to be a professional and that there was more money to be made in owning a team.
There can be no question that sport and athletes seem to be considered less than worthy subjects for writers of serious fiction, an odd fact considering how deeply ingrained in North American culture sport is, and how obviously and passionately North Americans care about it as participants and spectators. In this society of diverse peoples of greatly varying interests, tastes, and beliefs, no experience is as universal as playing or watching sports, and so it is simply perplexing how little adult fiction is written on the subject, not to mention how lightly regarded that little which is written seems to be. It should all be quite to the contrary; that our fascination and familiarity with sport makes it a most advantageous subject for the skilled writer of fiction is amply demonstrated by Mark Harris.
Saul Indian Horse is an Ojibway child who grew up in a land which offered little contact with anyone belonging to a different kind of society until he was forced to attend a residential school in which children were being stripped away of their culture with the scope of assimilating them into a more “civilized” community. Saul’s childhood in the school, greatly pervaded by psychological abuse and emotional oppression, was positively upset once one of the priests, Father Leboutillier, introduced him to the world of hockey, which soon become his sole means of inclusion and identification, mental well-being and acknowledged self-worth in his life. It is though universally acknowledged how, for every medal, there are always two inevitably opposite
Even with knowledge of Mosher’s Ph.D. in Sports Studies, the essay would have been stronger if it included additional credible resources. I agree with Mosher’s unstated evaluative claim that society should not expect someone to possess the characteristics of a hero simply because they are a sports athlete. Yet, Mosher asserts that society unrealistically demands their sports athletes to possess traits of high character. After reading this essay, I still ask; why not?
to become the player he is now by starting his professional career with the Rimouski Oceanic, a
Evel Knievel did not, as you would say, come from the best childhood. He was born in the tiny little copper mining town of Butte, Montana. His first introduction to being a daredevil started when he saw, “Joey Chitwoods Auto Daredevil Show” which was later credited for Evel Knievels career choice. After his father abandoned him and his mother, his mother found it hard to make ends meet. His mother soon found that she was unable to care for Evel Knievel and put him in the care of his grandparents. His grandparent claimed that even at his young age he was a “little” daredevil. He first started his career of stunts by doing tricks on his bicycle for the neighborhood children. Then, for his thirteenth birthday, Evel Knievel got his first motorcycle. This was his most favorite present, but sadly it didn’t last very long. He crashed it into their neighbor’s garage while showing off again and nearly caught their whole house on fire when the gas tank of the motorcycle ignited and exploded. For much of Evel Knievels teenage life, he landed himself in jail very many times for things like robbery, breaking into houses, and stealing small things like motorcycles. Then, on one particular “job” he decided that th...
In his first two seasons in the NHL, Wayne Gretzky won the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league’s most valuable player twice, and the Art Ross Trophy, awarded to the league’s leading goal scorer once. In his first season he became the youngest player to score 50 goals. In his second season he broke the NHL record for most points and assists in a season. But during the 1981-1982 season, just one year after Mike Bossy did the unthinkable, Gretzky took it to a whole other level, and set out on a path to transcend not only hockey, but sports and society as we know it.
The attack toward the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 shocked the world. Many people died, and the scar still remains in people's hearts. Was this whole thing predictable? No, but it could have been avoided says Robert Baer in his book, See No Evil. This book is a memoir of a man who joined the CIA to satisfy his curiosity he had toward what was happening in the world, and became to realize the problems the CIA faced and the never told inside story he encountered.
Every well-written fictional novel has a protagonist, and an antagonist. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, does have a clear and definite protagonist, but a strange antagonist. Narrated in the perspective of a young girl named Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, the book follows the story of her younger life, but quickly transitions to a dreadful court-case caused by the false accusation of an African-American solely based on the mere fact of him being a person of color. Throughout the novel, it becomes clear that Maycomb county antagonizes its people- making it the antagonist. Obviously, a town itself cannot be the antagonist, however, the people of a town can. Alienation, hatred towards those who support righteousness, and distressing conditions articulate this.
What is a legend anyway? The word "legend" is a very strong word to use when describing a person. Legends are people who are known for changing the ways that things are traditionally done. Legends never fall into the norm; they are seen as pioneers in their own field or, in this case, sport. When something seems impossible to everyone, they don’t just do it; they do it with flying colors, to the awe of all those around them. The more obstacles put in front of them, the more they strive to overcome them. Passion and desire constantly drive them to strive for perfection in anything that they do. Everybody involved with these types of people find their lives drastically changed over time. Legends give all those arou...
“Why is it that almost 25 years later, the loss of Lane Frost is still so strong? I think it’s because Lane Frost was what I wanted to be. He was what every one of us wanted to be. Lane dedicated his life to excellence. Complaining was not a part of his life. He said if he won a world championship he was going to do something special with it, and he did. He was an uncommonly kind and gentle man. He was a champion in the arena, and a champion in life” (Michael 1).
Terrence and Jordin Tootoo grew up in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, in Canada’s arctic region. They were like other Inuit children in Rankin Inlet in many respects: They were brought up to respect the customs of their people and they enjoyed the resources the land around them provided- they learned to hunt and fish for food like the others. However, the brothers were also different from their peers in one main respect- they were blessed with a love for the game of hockey, and also with extraordinary amounts of talent which would enable them to leave their native community to pursue the dream of professional hockey. While the brothers were growing up they were inseparable; however, after leaving Rankin Inlet to pursue the professional game their respective careers took strikingly different paths. Jordin’s journey took him to the top- he was drafted into the National Hockey League and signed a lucrative contract with the Nashville Predators. However, Terrence’s road to the professional ranks was filled with hardship and tragedy, ultimately resulting in his suicide in August of 2002. The contrasting paths taken by the brothers is an illustration of how professional sporting careers can have varying impacts on the lives of Native American and Canadian athletes and their communities. In the following few paragraphs I will outline the history of Native Americans and Canadians in sports. I will examine how successful Native athletes are able to help their communities, both financially and by serving as role models for younger Natives. Also, I will argue that their still exist barriers and challenges to Native athletes that do not confront other athletes. For example, Native athletes are often placed under increased scrutiny because of their positions as role models. I will conclude by commenting on how Native athletes fit into pro sports today, and speculate on what can be done to increase the amount of success enjoyed by Natives.
Athletes waiver an uncanny amount of courage, by pushing their bodies to the test and showcasing themselves and abilities to the judgement of the public. Sports may come natural for many people, but having utmost character and bravery does not come easy to anyone. Undoubtedly, having both is a rare occasion. Being a prime example, Jackie Robinson used his natural born gifts of a strong character and personality, along with an unprecedented athletic ability. He fought for equality by dignity and hard work. Respectfully, he was one of the best in Major League baseball for his time, and sparked a Civil RIghts Movement while doing it.
...orking hard like the rest of his competitors. His entire career was gone in an instant. Stripped of his titles and banned from ever professionally cycling again left him as only a man addicted to drugs.
are a female? Well, this is the story of a sports icon and his final moments of being a male athlete.
Lance Armstrong was born September 18th 1971 in Plano, Texas as a kid lance was a very talented athlete. Armstrong became involved and participating in sports when he was ten years old. Armstrong did a lot of practicing and took up competitive cycling at the age thirteen. Lance also started competing in triathlons when he was thirteen years old. Armstrong was very good at triathlons and became a professional triathlete when he was sixteen years old. Also Armstrong became a champion of the national sprint course triathlon in 1989 and also 1990. Completing these goals were a major step in Armstrong’s life because it showed people that he could compete at a young age. Armstrong First started focusing on on cycling during his junior year of high school. He chose cycling because it was his most favorite sport. Lance Armstrong got his high school diploma in 1989.