Comments on: Daredevil Evel Knievel Dead At 69

Extreme Sportsman Defied Death In Career Of Sensational Motorcycle Stunts

[nothappyatall]

"suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs. "

Hmm, lung disease;

There are five million people worldwide that are affected by this disease. In the United States there are over 200,000 patients with Pulmonary Fibrosis. As a consequence of misdiagnosis the actual numbers may be significantly higher. Of these more than 40,000 expire annually. This is the same as die from Breast Cancer. Typically, patients are in their forties and fifties when diagnosed. However, diagnoses have ranged from age seven to the eighties.

Traditional theories have postulated that it might be an autoimmune disorder, or the after effects of an infection, viral in nature. There is a growing body of evidence which points to a genetic predisposition. A mutation in the SP-C protein has been found to exist in families with a history of Pulmonary Fibrosis. The most current thinking is that the fibrotic process is a reaction to microscopic injury to the lung. While the exact cause remains unknown, associations have been made with the following:

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Inhaled environmental and occupational pollutants
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Cigarette smoking
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Diseases such as Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus and Sarcoidosis
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Certain medications
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Therapeutic radiation

[Renegade.Rivers]

omded,

Well said. As the old saying goes, Some got it, some don''t." He had more courage than good sense at times, but he heard his own drummer, and followed no one.

[omded]

Katia327,
I know a lot of people don''t want you to believe this, but there really is no such thing as right and wrong. There''s only what you believe in. I understand that you don''t believe in EK''s way of living, and you wouldn''t live that way yourself, but there''s no reason to unilaterally state that it''s "wrong". Frankly, I admire the man for having the courage to live without a crippling fear of death. That fear of death plagues most of us, and, it prevents us from making our lives all that they can be. Also, as a youngster during the EK era, I found great excitement and joy following his latest challenge. I consider this a gift that he gave to me, and, for that, I will be forever greatful. We all have a very limited control over death. The problem is that, for most people, death has complete control over us. EK was free from this, and, in my opinion, we should all revere him for that. May we all learn at least a little from EK, and may he forever rest in peace!

[beehive21-2009]

He tried jumping the fountains at Ceasars Palace with a steal horse( HD )that weighted double what Robi made it with,he still made it,we saw it all.He rode around the Hotel parking lot on the back tire like it was normal.On display in the hotel lobby a HD witk v shaped wing with a jet engine under each,he was going to jump the Grand Cyn.Evil was one great showman.

[kevzgrl]

Not the number of breaths you take but the moments that take your breath away. I remember when I was a teen watching several of his jumps and being in awe at his courage (and sometimes, stupidity) that led him to keep on pushing the boundaries. He was a great entertainer, and may he rest in peace at last.

[downtowner97]

Rest in Peace, Evil. Your courage was an inspiration. I spent my entire childhood building rickety ramps and seeing how far I could jump my bike.

[Renegade.Rivers]

May the wind always be at your back, EK. There is no doubt you were a man''s man, one tough hombre. You lived life to the fullest, you loved life, and you were loved.
You always had another dream, another plan, another trick to show the world. You was one unique fellow, probably not the words you would have used. You will be missed. Peace to you brother.

[republic1776]

Katia327 SAID:
"However, I have a serious problem with anyone playing with life''"

COME ON, Katia327, you upset that he had balls?
That''s the botton line, why you whine about it.
Wish you had balls?

[keithle1]

American icon. Nice to see his son Robbie doing well.

[jetranger7]

The year was 1974 - and I had all of Evel Knivels wind up toys, that year, I also watched him Jump cars here in Kansas at a State Fair back in the Early 1970s! He was also a great American Icon, and Legend and somewhat of a Role model, that if you try hard enough, you can achieve success, and live the American Dream, whatever your perception of that is !!! Go-Knievel-you''ll always Rock !!!!!! RIP !!!

[republic1776]

Katia327 We don''t know our fate.
I lost a daughter to Cancer, she died after fighting it for 6 years. I am 47 and been smoking for 33 years.
Go figure.
Can''t!
Only thing that is 100% Perfect is Death!
Think about it....

[katia327]

I am sorry he passed....God be with him.

However, I have a serious problem with anyone playing with life, something so very precious.

Our news media claimed how he ''inspired'' people. How?He claimed he was a life risker, death defyer. Why?Someone posted previous, speaking of the ''quality'' of life. How can broken bones and being in pain all the time, be ''quality''?

Irony...a young girl, also in the news coverage right after Evel''s story, is suffering from brain cancer. This child, is not even being GIVEN a chance to live, and here''s someone else, who wanted to throw it all away.

It may have been his CHOICE, that doesn''t mean it was right.

[republic1776]

Funny, I just heard his name mentioned on the Radio yesterday. He made peace with some rapper. They thought it would lead to a reality show. Turned out his peace made was for real reality Death. He was jacked up in many ways, he was jealous of his own son for breaking his records. He should have been honored.
He was a true showman!
He was not some daredevil idiot like many thought.
He planned his stunts like NASA.
I met him once as a kid when he was promoting his movie. He came to my father''s Drive-in, I recall that I was hanging out with him and his staff in awe!
(I was around 10yrs.) Anyway some hot blonde runied it all when she stepped up and removed her Bra for him to sign.
Dad told me "Time for you to go son, but take a good look she has great Breasts"...) LOL

A great showman has died.
Rest in Peace!

[fibonacci_]

Its not how long you live but the quality of life that matters most.

[mandylou4u]

R.I.P. one of my heros

also:

"His death came just two days after it was announced that he and rapper Kanye West had settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel''s trademarked image in a popular West music video."

Don''t ya wish rappers would be creative enough to get their own material? Just a thought

[ssm9451]

As he rides off into the sunset, he''ll be remembered by all who were thrilled by his stunts.
REST IN PEACE

[libsluvsuvs]

I believe this man lived to his most exteme limitations..lived life to its fullest test..

rest in peace..

[bdrlnt4rl]

This is sad, he was cool. We used to watch him ride when we were young. At least he died a cool numbered age! You rock Evel Kneivel!

[toolmangler-2009]

Ride well.......