Evel Knievel is one of the most fascinating people of the last 50 years. He was certainly one of the most brave people of the 20th century and we say that with a bit of admiration. This guy would (at times) willingly go at a ramp with a bike that wasn’t working right, didn’t have enough power, or simply had no freaking chance to make it. His personality was such that people were drawn to him or at least his public persona. The video below celebrates that but it also looks a little deeper into the man that was under those red white and blue leathers. That’s what makes this an interesting watch.
This is not a hit piece on the guy but rather an honest look at someone who found the thing he was best and and did it. He was a failed bank robber, a failed insurance salesman, and someone who was seemingly lost in life until he figured out that with sheer balls he could impress people and separate them from their money legally.
Of course his life was as insane as the jumps. He was making so much money at the height of his career and he literally could not spend it fast enough. His flamboyant lifestyle was ultimately the guy’s undoing but boy when he had it he ad no problem both showing it off and spending it.
One thing you can never accuse Evel Knievel of is living life at half throttle. This video is proof of that.
