Evel Knievel: An American Hero

Robert "Evel" Knievel is one of the most unique heroes to earn a place in the collective psyche of this country. A high school dropout, an award-winning athlete, a petty thief, a motorcycle racer and a political activist, Knievel earned his nickname because of his outrageous activities early in his life, but rode that name to fame by consistently tempting death in the public eye. For almost a decade millions followed his every motorcycle jump, and even now millions tune in to the Fox network's broadcasts of his son Robbie's acts of daring. The appeal of the daredevil never dies. Evel Knievel collectibles are some of the hottest on the market, and he has recently designed and endorsed a new line of motorcycles. Evel has been the subject of a Lifetime biography special, and there are plans for a movie about his life. Today, at 62 years of age, Evel seems to have fully recovered from his liver transplant last year and continues to make public appearances. The real story of just who Evel Knievel is has never been told, and there are literally millions of fans out there just waiting to find out.