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Tony Hawk is to skateboarding as Guy Fieri is to Flavortown. The skateboarding legend and pioneer was named one of the most influential skateboarders of all time by FoxWeekly in 2014 and became the first person to ever skate the halls of the White House at President Obama’s June 2009 Father’s Day celebration. I couldn’t tell you the difference between a kickflip and an ollie, but I know that if Tony Hawk was on a crowded subway in NYC, I could point him out immediately.
It appears that I’m in the minority, as the skateboarding Hall of Famer has encountered some buffoons in his day who can’t quite put their fingers on who he is.
The 50-year-old Hawk recently tweeted out a funny exchange he had with a TSA agent at the airport.
This is far from the first time Hawk has been misunderstood in varyingly pathetic degrees.
guy at restaurant: "you famous?"
me: I think that depends on who you ask
him: "anyone ever tell you that you look like Tom Brady?"
me: never— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) August 17, 2017
Woman at airport: "My husband told me you're an awesome something something. Are you?" Me: "Yes, in fact it's the title on my business card"
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 15, 2013
TSA agent (checking my ID): "Hawk, like that skateboarder Tony Hawk!"
Me: exactly
Her: "Cool, I wonder what he's up to these days"
Me: this— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) March 21, 2017
Ticket agent: "Anthony Frank Hawk, are you related to the skateboarder?" Yes, that's me. "Well he doesn't normally go by Anthony Frank."
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) July 22, 2010
Woman on plane: "You look like Tony Hawk!" Me: Is that good? Her: "Well… he's that skateboard guy." <== insert response here, I had none.
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) August 7, 2010
girl at restaurant: "Are you Tony Hawk?" me: "Yes." her: "Why?" I had no idea how to answer.
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) October 26, 2009
Hawk’s net worth is an estimated $120 million. It appears he has amassed a king’s ransom without over-saturating himself. He should be enjoying the fame sweet spot. Lets just say if Guy Fieri was walking in the airport there wouldn’t be a sane person in there who would mistake him for anyone other than the Mayor of Flavortown. And maybe the lead singer of SmashMouth.