Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk has apparently been driving around the suburbs asking people to do kickflips in exchange for skateboarding gear.
In the video reposted on Twitter, we see Birdman yelling “Do a kickflip!” at multiple skaters from his car. If they were able to land the trick, he’d give them free merchandise and drive along to the next few lucky skaters.
Tony Hawk went around town asking random skaters to “Do a kickflip” and if they landed one he’d give them free gear ?
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 11, 2021
(via @berrics) pic.twitter.com/LoPrZ0jE0C
The video, while actually filmed and posted in 2019, is making the rounds on the Internet again for its random but wholesome content.
Of the many skaters that Hawk approaches, only of them recognizes who he is.
This has become a sort of running joke for anyone who has followed the 52-year old skateboarder’s Twitter account. He has often recalled many times where he was completely or slightly unrecognized in public, or mistaken for a whole different celebrity altogether.
Approaching ticket counter, agent looks up and exclaims “I know you… you’re a famous… person… or sports guy… skateboarder! And your name is…” (glances at my ticket)
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) August 24, 2019
“Anthony Hawkins!”
me: close enough
her: my son would love a picture with you
me: Is he here?
her: no
Guy approaches me while standing in line at coffee shop in Cancún.
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 3, 2019
Him: my friend says you are a famous person. Is that true?
Me: that depends on your definition of fame
Him: will you show up on Google if I search your name?
Me: yes
Him (typing into phone): you are Tony Stark?
At rental car agency, can’t find my name on the monitor to find my car, go inside & wait in line. Finally get to the front, agent sees me & says “you really are Tony Hawk”
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 14, 2019
Me: um, yes. I was looking for my name outside on the list
Him: “I deleted it because I thought it was fake”
From Tony Stark to “famous guy” and “skateboarder”, Tony Hawk’s been mistaken for anything and everything.
While oddly unrecognizable to the general public, Hawk has been famous since the 90s for popularizing skateboarding as a sport and being the first skater to ever land a “900”, or a trick that calls for the rider to rotate 900 degrees (two and a half spins) in mid-air.
Widely venerated as one of the best, if not the best, skateboarders of all time, Tony Hawk has also made a name for himself through his skateboard company Birdhouse, self-titled skateboarding video games, and his charity, the Tony Hawk Foundation, which helps provide skateparks in low-income areas.
Photo from Medium
The video, up at 238k likes on @SportsCenter’s Twitter page, has reminded many why Tony Hawk remains the “GOAT”.
Aside from his awesome skate skills and friendly personality, Hawk has always encouraged kids to keep doing what they love and to continue practicing the sport. He has given back to the community tenfold and will continue to do so as long as he lives.
Keep skating, Tony!