Like all of you, I’m sitting here stricken with utter shock and disbelief after hearing the news of the untimely passing of BMX icon Dave Mirra.
Probably like you as well, Dave Mirra was an enormous part of my childhood. I grew up playing his video game on Dreamcast, peeling down hometown dirt paths on my bike trying to emulate him, and spent many a summer evening glued to TV coverage of the X-Games pulling for the one and only “Miracle Man” to win yet another gold medal. Still, two helmets signed by Dave sit on a shelf in my childhood bedroom at my parents house. Today, they mean a whole lot more than I thought they ever could.
Mirra transgressed the threshold of being an action sports star. On the two occasions I met him when the X-Games were in Philadelphia, he was nothing short of gracious and lively for the myriad of fans out in support of him. That is how I will always choose to remember him. As the endearing legend he was.
As news broke of Mirra’s death, fellow X-Games athletes and fans alike took to the internet to share their condolences.
I'm in complete shock. Angry, heart broken and just sad at the passing of my friend Dave. Heart broken 4 his daughters and wife. #DaveMirra
— Carey Hart (@hartluck) February 5, 2016
Goodbye Dave Mirra, a true pioneer, icon and legend. Thank you for the memories… we are heartbroken. pic.twitter.com/RHpTe7Qzwi
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra medaled in 13 straight competitions to begin his X Games career. pic.twitter.com/hgk1Dwc4VQ
— X Games (@XGames) February 5, 2016
Wow… A legend and friend is gone just like that. I don't even know what to think. His family… Man… #RIP @davemirra
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) February 5, 2016
Favorite BMXer ever and one of my favorite games back in the day. RIP #DaveMirra pic.twitter.com/474N81op9H
— Schautz47 (@Schautz47) February 5, 2016
So sad to hear about Dave Mirra's passing…he was such a legend & genuinely nice guy. And one hell of a Racecar driver too. RIP
— Rutledge Wood (@RutledgeWood) February 5, 2016
I rode a Haro Bike because of Dave. We watched Albert Street a million times. This really shook me up. RIP man. https://t.co/VyXszhyWGN
— Coach Trev (@trevorplouffe) February 5, 2016
Sad news tonight for the BMX world and The Challenge fam. Dave Mirra will sure be missed. https://t.co/7HU43QGk3F pic.twitter.com/88tPaynYBJ
— The Challenge (@TheChallenge) February 5, 2016
RIP to Dave Mirra. You were a big part of my childhood and made me aspire to be a pro BMX rider for many of my young years. 🙏🏼
— Mike f. Perry (@mikefperry) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra lived his life doing the impossible, and that's how I will always remember him. RIP to a true legend and pioneer. 🙏🏼
— Camila Nakagawa (@CamilaMTV) February 5, 2016
Saddened by the news about Dave Mirra. Thoughts & prayers w/his family & friends. #RIP
— Jeremy Guthrie (@TheRealJGuts) February 5, 2016
I literally wanted to be Dave Mirra when I was a kid. That's awful man, so bummed to hear he passed away.
— Josh Manuel (@JoshManuel) February 5, 2016
I always looked up to Dave mirra as a child, breaking bones to try the things he did on a bike he made me want to be a pro bmx rider.. #rip
— Greg Bretz (@gregbretzz) February 5, 2016
ESPN / X Games Statement on Dave Mirra: pic.twitter.com/zfrnwCflam
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 5, 2016
Im not a huge BMX fan but Dave Mirra’s video games will always own a huge part of my childhood so this is incredibly sad to me.
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) February 5, 2016
Rest in Peace @davemirra . You were inhuman. https://t.co/rGYaK0u6aQ
— DJ Neil Armstrong (@djneilarmstrong) February 5, 2016
So sad to hear about the loss of Dave Mirra. @davemirra such a huge part of action sports for so long #❤️
— Elena Hight (@Elenahight) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra one of the best to ever touch a bike
— Ryan Grant (@RyanGrant25) February 5, 2016
RIP to BMX legend Dave Mirra. pic.twitter.com/uI097E7z21
— DTLR (@DTLRVILLA) February 5, 2016
Damn…RIP Dave Mirra…
Legend…Damn…
— CHECKIN’ Out Now! #APTMC (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
Celebrate the life of a genius! BMX Legend!!!!!! #RIPDaveMirra https://t.co/RWlyfTE9z2
— CHECKIN’ Out Now! #APTMC (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/JamieOGrady/status/695416281688739841
https://twitter.com/DylanTheMan37/status/695425253950918657
Dave Mirra – dead at 41.
He is tied with Tony Hawk & Joe Parsons as fastest to 14 X Games medals. It took Mirra 8 XG apps to reach the mark
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 5, 2016
When I was a kid I would beg my parents to buy me a Haro because I wanted to be just like Dave Mirra…RIP to a huge part of my childhood.
— Danny Burawa (@dannyburawa) February 5, 2016
RIP Dave Mirra… Damn
— Miles Teller (@Miles_Teller) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/TijonGT/status/695433095692955648
Our thoughts and prayers go out to @davemirra's family and friends during this extremely difficult time
— Greenville Police (@GreenvillePD) February 5, 2016
We will continue to update this story throughout the evening.
No doubt someone in heaven is learning how to pull the perfect tailwhip-flair tonight.
R.I.P. Dave Mirra (1974-2016).