KNIEVEL'S LONGEST JUMP
By: Craven Moorehead, exclusive to Born to Ride

The name is synonymous with all that is daring. Evel Knievel, the man who jumped the Snake River Canyon. The man who jumped cars, tractor trailers, busses, flaming infernos, buildings and probably a few women along the way. The am who has broken every bone in his body, twice! Internationally known as one of the most fearless daredevils of our time. Words alone can probably never express the nuances of this legend's life. A lanky street fighting biker, who capuired the hearts and minds of all that saw him perform. Wherever he went, people would gaze in awe of the man. Children's faces would light up. Men would nod in ultimae respect.. Women's hearts would skip a beat. The media would fight for position to get the perfect shot of the take-off, the flight, and the possibility of the oft-times debilitating landing where man and machine tangle in a ballet of agony and destruction. Somehow the picture of the shiny motorcycle and the brave soul aboard. it, both pristine at the beginnin of the jump, seeming to float for hours in mid-air, then later settling softly on the ramp brought a strange feeling to all who saw it. That feeling, the thing that rumbled in the gut of the spectator, just what was it? In most cases it was likely the observer living vicariously through Evel. Flying free through the air defeating the devil, and returning to the center of the arena to the cheers of the crowd. Possibly it was the involuntary swallow, as the motorcycle seemed to turn on its rider, and begin to shred him up in concert with the earth, like an 800 pound weed-eater- In some cases it may have just been that racetrack hot dog. In any event, there is no way anyone who ever attended one of Evel's jumps can deny that they didn't have that feeling. Even seeing it on television would bring the most proficient couch potato to a standing position. No question Evel is a hero.

The steepest ramp

When we look at the life of the man, all the accomplishments, and the failures, one thing seems to stand out in the observer's mind. Evel Knievel is indestructible. He has done things most only dream of, or the more sober of us wouldn't consider doing on a bet. But just recently, and in his retirement, Evel has faced. his biggest challenge. Hepatitis C. In his life Evel has survived 14 operations stemming from injuries sustained in his performances. Some of these operations Included the added risk of blood transfusions. In the wake of one of these transfiisions, Evel was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. The hepatitis destroyed his liver. Some speculated that it was actually the alcohol that had caused the damage, and in reality it may have contributed to some respect to the failure. Either way in 1993 Evel was given 5 years to live. A liver transplant would be necessary. The odds of a person receiving a liver transplant are not good. Even when an organ is found chances are for one reason or the other, the donated organ may not be compatible. Then. there is the cost, Hundreds of thousands of dollars can be spent on this risky surgery, and there is the distinct possibility of rejection. The chances of Evel finding a liver in time were less than his chances of success at any of his previous aerial escapades. The chapter was about to close on our hero, but again the living legend whose accomplishments were rivaled only by his son Robbie, and a few imaginary plastic action figures, beat the Odds.

Houston, the Eagle has landed

On January 27, 1999 Evel received a new liver. I was at the press conference that day. The Lead Surgeon and Evel's new "pal", Dr. Hector Ramos of Life Link Transplant Institute at the Tampa General Hospital was cautiously optimistic. The usual risks of infection and rejection loomed over our hero as he lay in the intensive care ward. Dr. Ramos indicated that the surgery had gone well, and that Evel was a fairly easy study, as his abdomen was the only section of his body that hadn't previously been invaded by a surgeon's knife. Evel's fiancee Krystal represented the family and gave sincere thanks to the survivors of the anonymous donor. The prospects looked good for our hero. A mere 14 days later I attended yet another press conference, where the man himself sat at the table and gave a heartfelt speech to members of the media regarding his life and times, his belief in God, and his ultimate victory over the Grim Reaper. At that meeting Evel gave Dr. Ramos the keys to a brand new California Motorcycle Company, "Evel Knievel", signature series motorcycle. Ramos humbly accepted, but admitted that he didn't ride, and the motorcycle would likely be auctioned off to benefit Life Link. All the while, as I stood a short few feet before the man himself, knowing that less than 2 weeks before, his entire life had been removed from his body, and replaced through the wonders of modern technology, I knew this was no ordwary man. He was still spry, strong and willing to rebuke a producer from WFLZ 93.3FM's MJ & BJ show, who distastefully offered Evel a "big liver dinner" after his recovery. Evel was definitely back!

Victory, against All odds

Evel summed it up this way. "A lot of people don't know what it means to be a survivor ... God put you here to live your best and to do the best that you can do. Be your best and when he's ready to take you, he will. You, as a human being, can never ask for a better deal than that!" When I asked Evel how it felt to be revered as a hero to bikers, and others world wide be said, " hey, it's just my life" its how and what I live. Dr. Ramos when asked his feelings regarding Evel said " I used to have, an Evel Knievel lunch box!" The man was one of my heroes as a child, and here I am working on him." With that, I shook Dr. Ramos' hand, and said, "thanks for saving my hero". Ramos responded, "it's just my job". I believe that we as bikers, all owe sincere thanks to the staff of Life Link, Dr. Ramos, and T.G.H for preserving the life of a true American Legend. And to the family of the donor, Evel himself again sums it up best. "I now have a new best friend, and I don't even know him. He was in his late 20s, and lived somewhere here in the South. Before he died, he became an orgm donor. He did not know he was going to die on the 27th of Januaiy, but he gave me his liver so I could live again he gave me life! I don't even know him, yet I love him. I hope to find his family and maybe become part of their love, for someone they loved. I thank them for this incredible gift!" Sign those organ donor cards folks. You never know who you will be benefiting.