BMX Superstar Dave Mirra Found Dead
BMX legend Dave Mirra has passed away at the age of 41 in Greenville, NC, from an apparent suicide. According to a statement issued by the Greenville Police Department, Mirra was found sitting in his truck with an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. He leaves behind his wife and two children.
In addition to inspiring countless fans over the course of his storied career, Dave Mirra amassed an incredible number of X Games podium appearances, including a total of 14 gold medals for his performances on a BMX bike. He then turned his focus to rally car racing in 2010, racing for Subaru in the Global RallyCross championships, and then at the age of 40 once again turned his gaze to a new athletic endeavor - triathlon racing. His presence in the action sports world will be severely missed.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are encouraged to seek help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK (USA), the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK), and the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 (Australia).
 | We mourn the loss today of a great friend and wonderful human being who touched the lives of so many around the world with his gift. He called Greenville, North Carolina, home and was as humble a guy talking with kids on a street corner about bikes as he was in his element on the world stage. A young life with so much to offer was taken too soon. - Allen Thomas, mayor of Greenville, NC |
In addition to inspiring countless fans over the course of his storied career, Dave Mirra amassed an incredible number of X Games podium appearances, including a total of 14 gold medals for his performances on a BMX bike. He then turned his focus to rally car racing in 2010, racing for Subaru in the Global RallyCross championships, and then at the age of 40 once again turned his gaze to a new athletic endeavor - triathlon racing. His presence in the action sports world will be severely missed.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you are encouraged to seek help through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-TALK (USA), the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK), and the crisis support service Lifeline is on 13 11 14 (Australia).
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As much as I don't like the Kardashians, we don't need to say this. I hate to be this guy but wishing death on others isn't cool. Believe me, I wish we could have helped him in his tough mindset but it overwhelmed him. It's super unfortunate. RIP Dave
Not only a legend and inspiration to many of us but an icon in his home town.
www.witn.com/home/headlines/Greenville-police-investigate-apparent-suicide-involving-Dave-Mirra-367748001.html
The worst feeling is when you get depressed but you dont know why. You know you are a happy person but when you go to bed it all just spins. But know everything is good with some hormones for the thyroid. But that feeling will i never forget
...I called it, but you will never know what real depression is. People say that term so loosely that its sometimes over looked and not taken seriously. I know what it is and it not the same as being BORED for 1 year... You will/may never know, so its better you not speak about the subject or else you may sound ignorant...
Bottom line is that it's not simply about wearing a helmet or not. No matter what helmet you wear, if you fall on your head bunch of times you are going to damage your brain.
RIP Dave Mirra
Helmets absorb force from the foam compressing after a certain amount of force is applied. So anything under the force required to compress the foam is not absorbed. There's a certain amount of force (I can't remember the exact number off the top of my head, something like 80 g's or so) that it takes to make the brain run into the inside of the skull (this is what causes a concussion). The harder the brain runs into the skull, the more severe the concussion. When you hit your head wearing a helmet and the foam is compressed, the helmet is working and slowing down how hard your brain hits the inside of the skull, and preventing your concussion from being as bad as it could have been.
Now the problem with most helmets is that the minimum amount of force required for the helmets foam to compress is actually higher than the minimum amount of force required to cause a concussion. The thing is, you can get mild concussions and severe concussions, and even worse. So while a modern helmet won't help to prevent mild to even moderate concussions, it will absolutely do it's job in protecting you from anything worse than that. Those higher impacts are the ones that can kill you or cause brain damage. Protecting yourself from those is absolutely essential, and you can't do that without wearing a helmet.
It would be possible to make a helmet that protects against all concussions and worse, but with current helmet technology if would have to be really big to have the required amount of foam at a soft enough density to do the job. Hopefully with new technology there will be ways to prevent all concussions.
I am no scientist but it is quite obvious to me that helmet can decrease severity of concussion, even if only slightly (I did read about the CET research) Proving an example by riding without a helmet - workoholism and chronic insomnia got on his head, he probably forgot about the issue that hard surface can definitely do to your head: skull fracture. To paraphrase Prof. Lawrence Krauss - "If some idea sounds too stupid to be true then it probably is stupid"
His argument is more about the perception that drivers have of road cyclists who wear helmets and the increase in recklessness that ensues. Very little to do with BMX, especially considering the difference in protection offered between high end extreme sport helmets and the ones he is referring to
RIP Mirra,
RIP McGarry,
RIP Lemmy,
RIP Bowie,
RIP Wogan,
And we're barely into Feb......WTF?
Thoughs going out to all their family and friends all will be missed but never forgotten
RIP Dave.
Gone but not forgotten.
Dave Mirra, may you rest in peace.
David Michael Mirra was born on April 4, 1974, in the small New York town of Chittenango. His parents divorced when he was 5, and he was raised by his dad. As most kids do, Dave was riding his bike around the town, and he noticed some kids riding BMX. He and his friends and brother began building wooden jumps and began making his own tricks. Within a couple years, Freestyle BMX took off in the world, and Dave got noticed at around age 13 for his flatland racing ability. Mirra was hooked, and he and his friends urged each other on and were seldom seen without their bikes.
"Anything you want to get better at is a commitment. Without commitment, there would be no success." - Dave Mirra
BMX is not my sport, but this seemed appropriate.
Dude...there has to be a link with concussions and surgeries. I've had 6 surgeries on wrecked joints (elbow, shoulder, knees) and cut my thumb off (re-attached)--I can tell you first hand, going under anesthesia is no joke and wreaks havoc on your brain afterwards. I have not felt the same since this last surgery. Not too mention, the 2 diagnosed concussions I've had.
The link with McGaza is--that this high school girl went into cardiac arrest mid volley ball game--suddenly and unexplained (saw it on the news) and she had had shoulder surgery sometime before her medical event. I'm sure Mcgaza had surgeries as well and it's just coincidental---but it's got me thinking.
stay strong and all my best
I don't know when or where it was, but a line of his in an interview MANY years ago to this day sticks out in my mind.
(paraphrase) "When I turned 16 and everyone else was getting obsessed with their cars, I just wanted to ride my bike"
Horrible news, thanks for all of the inspiration over the years! RIP
m.youtube.com/watch?v=84kw-zjio_0
Thank you for inspiring so many to get out and ride a bike.
I grew up watching Mirra contesting X Games, played for hours on Mirra BMX on the playstation and then went outside trying to recreate the moves (with the obvious consequences). Along with DMC, Lavin and Lyons he shaped how I wanted to ride from a young age.
Dave - I didn't know you personally but your passing has had a profound effect. My thoughts are with your family and loved ones.
If you folks ever find yourself in that dark corner, please reach out. Call or text a friend. Heck, you could ring my doorbell at 4am and I'd be happy to take you in (I've taken 4am international calls for my military friends) Just find someone, somewhere who can help. Life is always better when you give it a chance, trust me, I've been there.
youtu.be/jB8CCSEkGhs
Another Pioneer of the sport lost but his legacy will never die.
My thoughts and condolences to his friends & family.
Another sad day
RIP Dave Mirra
Can't imagine what his family is going through.
Rip Dave mirra
RIP Dave
2016 started f*cked !!!!!!
My condolences to family of Mirra .
Gone but Not forgotten :-(
#SHAMEFUL
Matt Hoffman
Suicide is impossible to comprehend especially when we are younger. Sometimes it is a gut and even cultural reaction to blame the victim; "the cowards way out' but Its so much more complicated than that.
Depression whether caused by CTE or another factor is a Medical illness and needs to be treated by a Doctor.
But I'll comment anyway like the armchair expert/ keyboard warrior that I am...