In the tight-knit community of riders and their fans, the tragedy of Jeremy Lusk reverberates.
Lusk, last year’s X Games champion, died six months ago after a violent head-first crash during an obscure competition in Costa Rica, and his passing—believed to be the first fatality involving a pro rider at a competition—has had a profound effect on the sport and its athletes.
Lusk, who was 24, was known as much for his work ethic and engaging personality as for his prodigious talent—“one of those kinds of guys whose passion for what he did was very tangible,” says Chris Stiepock, general manager of the X Games.
A tribute to Lusk will take place before Saturday’s competition, and the event’s medals will carry his name and a small cross.
“What made Lusk so popular was his style of just being such a mellow, cool dude,” says Brian Deegan, 34, a freestyle motocross pioneer who was a close friend. “He just let his actions speak for him.”
And now Lusk’s friends and fellow competitors are letting their actions do some talking.
Part of Lusk’s legacy is the creation of the American Freestyle Motocross Assn., which was formed to provide a voice and safety services for pro and recreational riders alike. It also will serve as a sanctioning body for events that adhere to strict safety guidelines, including the placement of emergency medical technicians on site during competitions. Los Angeles Times
Scour the X Games pits for two weeks and you’ll have trouble finding someone who wasn’t affected by Lusk’s passing. But there was also a blaze-of-glory aspect to his death that has immortalization powers far greater than achievements alone—and that didn’t go unnoticed.
As put by Niki Danielson, Lusk’s teammate in the freestyle motocross group Metal Mulisha: “He went out better than anyone could have. He did it like any rider would want to do before they die.”
But it is the thought of never seeing someone again, not legacies, that typically concerns those who’ve just lost a loved one. Even Danielson said it took him a couple of months before the desire to mount a dirt bike returned.
The heightened emotions prompted by Saturday’s tribute should cause those close to Lusk to recall some of their fonder memories. However, the occasion also will warrant discussion about the sport’s future, and how to prevent something like this from happening again.
As far as the looking back goes…
Deegan reminisced on the skits Lusk would perform for their Web site, including spoofs of Dog the Bounty Hunter. Faisst recalled his fascination with weightlifting, and how anytime a pressure-filled moment was imminent, Lusk would exclaim: “Let’s get big!” Press-Enterprise
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