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FACTBOX-Five facts about daredevil Evel Knievel

Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:41pm EST

(Reuters) - Five facts about U.S. motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, who died on Friday at age 69:

U.S.  |  Sports

* A jailer in Montana was responsible for Knievel's nickname. As a youth, Knievel had several run-ins with police and the jailer dubbed him "Evil Knievel." In order not to be perceived as a bad guy, Knievel later changed the spelling to "Evel" as his daredevil career took off.

* Among Knievel's notable feats were clearing 19 cars in 1971, sailing over 13 Mack trucks in 1974 and jumping 13 double-decker buses in London in 1975, as well as a failed attempt to leap the Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a rocket-powered motorcycle in 1974.

* Knievel played himself in the 1977 movie "Viva Knievel!" The plot featured a rival trying to kill Knievel and use his 18-wheel truck to smuggle cocaine. George Hamilton portrayed him in a 1971 film and George Eads played him in a 2004 television movie.

* Knievel starred in track and field, hockey and ski jumping in high school.

* National Football League kicker Adam Vinatieri, best known for kicking game-winning field goals in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots, is Knievel's cousin.

(Writing by Bill Trott; Editing by John O'Callaghan)
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