Tony Hawk: The Life of a Skateboarding Legend
Summary
In this article, we delve into the life of Tony Hawk, a 52-year-old professional vert skater, video game franchise owner, commentator, and philanthropist. We explore his skateboarding career, his personal life, his sponsorship deals, and his contributions to the skateboarding community.
Table of Contents
- Tony Hawk’s Skateboarding Career
- Tony Hawk’s Personal Life
- Tony Hawk’s Sponsorship Deals
- Tony Hawk’s Contributions to the Skateboarding Community
Tony Hawk’s Skateboarding Career
Tony Hawk is a skateboarding legend who has been skating since he was nine years old. He started his career in the 1980s and has since become one of the most influential skateboarders of all time. He has won numerous skateboarding competitions, including the X Games, and has set many records in the sport.
Hawk is known for his signature trick, the 900, which involves spinning two and a half times in the air. He was the first skater to ever land this trick, and he did it at the 1999 X Games. He has also invented many other tricks, including the Madonna, the lien air, and the fakie ollie.
In addition to his skateboarding career, Hawk is also the owner of the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game franchise. The franchise has sold over 40 million copies worldwide and has been credited with popularizing skateboarding in mainstream culture.
Tony Hawk’s Personal Life
Tony Hawk is not just a skateboarding legend, but also a family man. He has been married to his wife, Cathy Goodman, since 1996, and they have four children together.
Hawk has several tattoos, including a skateboard and planets tattoo with his wife’s and children’s initials and a falcon head tattoo on his ankle. He also has four fake teeth, which he lost during a skateboarding accident.
Hawk’s brother, Steve Hawk, gave him his first skateboard and was the editor of Surfer Magazine. Hawk has also donated his first skateboard to the Smithsonian, where it is now part of the museum’s collection.
Tony Hawk’s Sponsorship Deals
Tony Hawk is sponsored by several companies, including Vans, Birdhouse Skateboards, and Independent Trucks. He wears Vans old school high top shoes and slip-on shoes when not skating, and he rides a Birdhouse Falco skateboard with independent trucks and Bones 60 millimeter skate park formula wheels.
Hawk is also a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities. He founded the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps to build skateparks in low-income communities.
Tony Hawk’s Contributions to the Skateboarding Community
Tony Hawk has made many contributions to the skateboarding community throughout his career. He has helped to popularize the sport through his skateboarding competitions and his video game franchise.
Hawk has also been a vocal advocate for skateboarding, and he has worked to promote the sport as a healthy and positive activity for young people. He has also helped to create opportunities for young skateboarders by building skateparks in underserved communities.
In conclusion, Tony Hawk is not just a skateboarding legend, but also a philanthropist and advocate for the sport. He has made many contributions to the skateboarding community throughout his career, and his legacy will continue to inspire skateboarders for generations to come.