Sponsored since the age of 15, Dave Mirra was an athlete who transcended his sport.
You might know Mirra from his video game, MTV or simply from the occasional X Games highlight, but here’s a look at how miraculous Mirra’s career was.
- Mirra won 24 X Games medals between 1995-2008, a record that stood until 2013
- 14 of those medals were X Games gold
- Only athlete to win multiple gold medals in 4 different X Games
- Medaled in 13 straight competitions to begin X Games career
- Landed the first double backflip in competition
According to reports, Mirra died Thursday in Greenville, North Carolina apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He leaves behind his wife Lauren and three children. He was 41.
There’s only a few X Gamers whom you can even come close to comparing careers to Mirra’s. One of them of course is Tony Hawk, who tweeted this Thursday night.
Fellow BMX rider TJ Lavin told TMZ, “I just wish he would have called me … I would have jumped on a plane in a second. There’s always another way. If anyone needs help, just please get it. I feel sick about this.”
ESPN also released the following statement:
“Dave Mirra, your courage, determination and natural skill in everything you pursued pushed the world of action sports to become a better place. From all of us at X Games and ESPN, we salute your contributions,” read the statement. “Our sincere condolences go out to Dave’s wife, Lauren, his daughters Mackenzie and Madison, the BMX community and friends of Dave Mirra.”
Mirra also raced Rally Car, competed in Iron Man races and had his own bicycle brand.
Now for how Mirra will always be remembered…
The ‘Miracle Man’ completes first-ever double-backflip
One of the greatest X-Games moments in history.
BMX Secret Warehouse Session
Mirra’s most-viewed video on the web.
Rest in peace, Dave
Josh Helmuth is the editor of Crave Sports. Follow him on Twitter or like the channel on Facebook.
Photo: Getty
