RIP Bob Craig Knievel, Jr.
Bob Craig Knievel, Jr. died on November 30, 2007. He was 69 years old. Initial reports from the coroner claim that Bob Craig died as the result of complications stemming from diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which he had been suffering from for many years.
Many who knew Bob Craig called him a daredevil or insane, but he often responded by saying, “A rat’s got to eat too don’t they?”
And eat he did. He ate for at least 67 of the 69 years he lived. In fact, many in the competitive eating circuit point to Bob Craig as the inspiration that led them to choose the path they chose.
Many know of Bob Craig for his death defying stunts on the motorcycle or his record number of broken bones, but I would like to take a second and remember a few of his lesser known feats.
Bob Craig was a world class pole vaulter in the army during his early years and was said to have fleeced the 1960 Olympic Czechoslovakakian hockey team out of some money in a fundraising game between the Czechs and a rag-tag team Bob Craig threw together. In a plan of utter genius Bob Craig got himself tossed early in the third period and then made his way to the box office where he stole the cashbox. Of course, none of this was ever proved to be true just as it was never proven that he had in fact broken into the Butte, Montana courthouse to finance his first motorcycle.
Another unsubstantial report is that Beverly Cleary’s children’s book, The Mouse and the Motorcycle
, is based upon the life of Bob Craig. Though the author has never fully admitted to this fact, it appears obvious that this is the case, seeing there aren’t any other suitable influences than Bob Craig himself.
With the death of Bob Craig upon us, many of his loyal followers can’t quite bring themselves to believe the news of his farewell and many refuse to believe he went out with such a whimper. There has been a growing movement who point to autopsy photos as proof that Bob Craig didn’t die of the natural causes, but passed away still attempting to live up to the legend of being America’s greatest stuntman.
, is based upon the life of Bob Craig. Though the author has never fully admitted to this fact, it appears obvious that this is the case, seeing there aren’t any other suitable influences than Bob Craig himself.
With the death of Bob Craig upon us, many of his loyal followers can’t quite bring themselves to believe the news of his farewell and many refuse to believe he went out with such a whimper. There has been a growing movement who point to autopsy photos as proof that Bob Craig didn’t die of the natural causes, but passed away still attempting to live up to the legend of being America’s greatest stuntman.
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