Dave Mirra, the versatile, record-setting BMX freestyle rider who helped define the X Games, died Thursday of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police in Greenville, N.C. He was 41.
ESPN issued this statement regarding Mirra: “Dave Mirra, your courage, determination and natural skill in everything you pursued pushed the world of action sports to become a better place. From all of us at X Games and ESPN, we salute your contributions. Our sincere condolences go out to Dave’s wife, Lauren, his daughters Mackenzie and Madison, the BMX community and friends of Dave Mirra.â€
Many of his peers in the action sports world and entertainers saluted Mirra, who owned the most X Games medals in history through the summer of 2013, on social media. Here is a sampling:
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
2016 is taking way too many awesome people. #rip Dave Mirra :<
— RivingtonBisland III (@RivingtonThe3rd) February 5, 2016
Gone but never forgotten. My condolences go out to his family and loved ones RIP @davemirra… https://t.co/Ovh2TAu8A6
— Garrett Reynolds (@thrashtheshred) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra was a true sportsman. He inspired so many people and changed the game in action… https://t.co/bSkYw1Nv76
— Chas Guldemond (@ChasGuldemond) February 5, 2016
Bummed. #Repost @ridebmx
・・・
No video footage will give justice to what Dave Mirra contributed… https://t.co/6620vc1Zgm— aaron ross (@theaaronross) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra, Xgames, BMX legend, gone. Suicide. Unbelievable. Speechless.
— Titus (@TitusNation) February 5, 2016
Rest In Peace @davemirra. Too soon… #miracleboy pic.twitter.com/PClwT9b2SL
— Tanner Foust (@TannerFoust) February 5, 2016
Cheers to you @davemirra. Us Kagys will raise a glass to you and celebrate all the positive you contributed… https://t.co/Rx7zA2TnrJ
— Chad Kagy (@chadkagy) February 5, 2016
The world lost a legend, a hero, an inspiration today. I will miss you @davemirra & so will a lot of people in… https://t.co/PqW3nx37RZ
— Chad Kagy (@chadkagy) February 5, 2016
RIP #DaveMirra Was the main reason I ever owned a bmx bike! #Legend
— Kolten Wong (@KoltenWong) February 5, 2016
Celebrate the life of a genius! BMX Legend!!!!!! #RIPDaveMirra https://t.co/RWlyfTE9z2
— “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION†Out Now! (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
Damn…RIP Dave Mirra…
Legend…Damn…
— “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION†Out Now! (@LupeFiasco) February 5, 2016
So sad to hear about the loss of Dave Mirra. @davemirra such a huge part of action sports for so long #â¤ï¸
— Elena Hight (@Elenahight) 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
https://twitter.com/Levi_LaVallee/status/695423888222609410
RIP Dave Mirra. You're a legend man. Shred in peace..
— Tom Wallisch (@TWallisch) February 5, 2016
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
Shell shocked. In tears. Confused. I can't believe this. My heart dies for his family. #davemirra
— Selema Masekela (@selema) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/JamieOGrady/status/695416281688739841
Rest in Peace Dave Mirra. Thank you for pushing the boundaries of what was possible. You are a legend.
— Brian Kachinsky (@bkachinsky) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheDingoInSnow/status/695412737594118144
Can't believe the news about Dave Mirra. He was the reason I begged my parents for a bmx bike as a kid. RIP.
— Derek Phillips (@DerekPhillips89) February 5, 2016
Heartbroken by the news of Dave Mirra. One of the nicest guys I ever dealt with at X Games and Dew Tour. A true pro. https://t.co/qSNlRTMRwp
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 5, 2016
BUMMED to hear the news of an #ActionSports #LEGEND @DaveMirra passing today 😔 • #MetalMulisha #RIP #WorldDomination pic.twitter.com/1Olzl5SHnY
— Metal Mulisha (@metalmulisha) February 5, 2016
R.I.P. Dave Mirra. So sad.
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) February 5, 2016
https://twitter.com/devhynes/status/695402885182402564
RIP Dave Mirra put Greenville on the map
— Andre Brown (@drebrown35) 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
Damn. Terrible news about @davemirra. I've crossed paths with Mirra many times over the years, never would have seen this coming.
— Tony Besson (@TonyBesson) February 5, 2016
Dave Mirra was a true sportsman. He inspired so many people and changed the game in action… https://t.co/bSkYw1Nv76
— Chas Guldemond (@ChasGuldemond) February 5, 2016
RIP TO A CHILDHOOD LEGEND #DAVEMIRRA
— GORDO (@GordoSZN) February 5, 2016
Joyce Wang, Danny Chi and Crystal Yang Edwards contributed to this post.
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