Evil Kenivel

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Evel Kinevel

Evel Kinevel has contributed more to extreme sports and motorcycling than any other athlete to date. Evel’s full name is Robert Craig Kinevel, given by his parents Chase and Ann Kinevel. His was born in Butte, Montana on October 17, 1938. It didn’t take long at all for young Robert to gain interest in the world of motorsports. In fact he attended a Joie Chitwood Auto Daredevil Show when he was only eight, he credits that show as being the main influence of his later career choice.

Evel dropped out of high school during his sophomore year and began work at the Anaconda Mining Company. His reckless nature got the best of him however. One day at work while Evel was driving an earth mover he pulled a motorcycle stunt "wheelie" and took out the cities power lines. This left the city without electricity for several hours and of course Evel was dismissed from his mining duties. Antics such as this followed Robert all his life in fact a later event even lead Robert to his well known name “Evel Knievel”. It happened in 1956; Evel had started a police chase, and pushed his motorcycle to its limits until he couldn’t maintain control and wrecked. He escaped with his life and a place to sleep for the night. Robert was charged with reckless driving and taken to prison. The night guard happened to comment that “Awful Knofel” (William Knofel) and “Evil Knievel” were the residents for the night. Robert later chose to use the spelling “Evel” in order to match his last name and also drop the negative connotation of the word “Evil”.

Without question Evel Knievel is a true athlete as well as an over-the-top thrill seeker. These qualities are what lead Evel to participate in activities such as ski jumps, rodeos, and even service in the armed forces throughout the 1950’s. When Evel returned to Butte from his time serving in the army, he met his wife Linda Joan Bork (who was later replaced by Krystal Kennedy). After his marriage Evel’s Interest in hockey became his main focus. He played in the minors briefly, but soon realized that he wasn’t destined to be a professional and that there was more money to be made in owning a team.

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