Evel Knievel dies at 69

RIP Evel.

Source

Pop culture icon had been in poor health for years

Posted: Friday November 30, 2007 4:19PM;

Updated: Friday November 30, 2007 4:35PM


CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- 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.

[33girl]

Here's what freaks me out....Evel & Kanye just settled their lawsuit a couple days ago.

This is another big part of my childhood gone. Rest in peace, Evel.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Here's what freaks me out....Evel & Kanye just settled their lawsuit a couple days ago

I thought the same thing

[ree-Xi]

Even freakier - 2 nights ago I had a dream that I met Evel Kenevil (sp) and his dad during a 4th of July parade in the city I was born in (it passed my street every year). The time period was in the 70s, but I was an adult.

[AGDee]

I really thought he was already dead and was surprised to hear this today.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Here's what freaks me out....Evel & Kanye just settled their lawsuit a couple days ago.

This is another big part of my childhood gone. Rest in peace, Evel.

Ditto. And I love Evel throwing the peace sign!

Poor Kanye, he's had a tough go of late...

[Leslie Anne]

Real sad to hear about this legend's death. Rest in peace, man.

One of his great jumps on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1UBtaVgaw84&feature=related

Had to include this one because Howard Cossell covered it:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SLURFJQGeZE&feature=related

More good footage:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Q2xwO1ciEKo

[BabyPiNK_FL]

OMG I thought of the Kanye thing too! I wonder if he's going to start avoiding people now...

What did this guy die of? Obviously he didn't seem to have a prior illness or anything, at least I don't think it was mentioned recently...

[Leslie Anne]

He had diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis. He had had a liver transplant and suffered two strokes recently. Ultimately, I think it was the pulmonary fibrosis that did it. He was having trouble breathing and died before getting to the hospital.

[sunnyhibiscus]

He is the original Jackass.

[CutiePie2000]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Here's what freaks me out....Evel & Kanye just settled their lawsuit a couple days ago.

Even though Evel Knievel "came around" where Kanye West was concerned, I love it that he verbally smacked him around a bit first...heeeeeee:
"In the lawsuit, Knievel claimed the "vulgar and offensive" images depicted in the video damaged his reputation. And he accused the 29-year-old rapper of using the Knievel image to "promote his filth to the world."
I loves me a Senior Citizen with attitude!