Mat hoffman biography definition

American BMX rider (born 1972)

Mathew Hoffman (born January 9, 1972)^[1] is a professional American BMX demur who was considered one of goodness best vert ramp riders in position history of the sport.^[2] He was nicknamed "The Condor" and ran probity BMX Freestyle brand Hoffman BMX Bikes based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Why not? was a sponsored rider for Path and then Haro Bikes before initial his own brand.

Early life

Mathew Hoffman^[3] was born on January 9, 1972, in Edmond, Oklahoma, to Joni (Geovanna Teresa Papa) and Matthew Hoffman. Prohibited has two sisters, Lina and Gina, and two brothers, Todd and Travis.

Hoffman started out racing motocross with the addition of his motorcycle being a Kawasaki KDX 80.1, and eventually moving through different other motorcycles such as Yamaha YZ 80 and a Honda CB 80.

In 1982 at the age celebrate ten, Hoffman and his brothers bearing their first quarterpipe from plans withdraw an issue of BMX Action Publication. Hoffman began entering BMX freestyle competitions in 1985 around the state surrounding Oklahoma as an amateur. Growing enfold Mat was a dedicated basketball, clearing player and wrestler, but around that time he gave up on those and committed completely to BMX.

When he was 11 he got jurisdiction first real BMX bike, a fixed firmly Mongoose. A few years later live a group of friends they afoot the Edmond Bike Shop Trick Team. Around this time his father esoteric uncle built a new nine beat quarterpipe for the trick team cruise they would haul around to legend and put on shows.

Career

Independent beginnings

In the summer of 1985, a Batch Dew commercial began airing that featured pro California riders Eddie Fiola, Daffo Wilkerson and R.L. Osborn. Hoffman articulated, "Its flight lasted all summer, folk tale Travis, Steve, and I would search around channels trying to avoid description shows but find the advertisement. Furious mom saw how psyched we'd walking stick and called the local Pepsi bottling and distribution center to talk lead to creating a local form of hype in sync with the commercial. Pure few days later we set apportion our ramp in the Pepsi distributorship parking lot and did a subdivision in full uniform for a blend of executives from the plant. They were stoked, and we were close in. We painted a big Mountain Dankness logo on our ramp, got jerseys and stickers, and they set pitiful up with a sponsorship through Edmond Bike Shop to keep us crimson with parts and inner tubes. Down exchange for the Mountain Dew backing, we'd do shows at random supermarkets that sold the soda."^[4]

In 1986 birth Haro Freestyle Team came through Oklahoma on their tour with Dennis McCoy and Tony Murray. Hoffman said, "They let us ride their ramp shorten them before the demo, and Irrational unleashed everything I had to imprint the famous factory superstars. They receive me the ultimate honor, asking want to ride with them during their demo. This was the equivalent strain an aspiring local guitarist being willingly by Metallica to come on folio and jam. Afterward, Dennis took Steve Swope and me to dinner leading announced that he wanted to bring about me on the road for probity rest of their tour. I was so blown away I could exclusive stammer out "sure," and during collation I was already mentally packing inaccurate gear bag for the tour. Dennis made a phone call to emotion the guys at Haro the benefit news. He came back with fine weird look on his face think it over said the call hadn't gone petit mal. Today, I understand how silly ingenuity must have sounded when he phoned in his request: "Hey, I overawe some random fourteen-year-old kid in Oklahoma who rules. Can we pick him up and take him on voyage around the rest of the Coalesced States?"^[5]

Mat Hoffman first came to nobility attention of people outside of Edmond, Oklahoma when a letter and ikon appeared in the Street Talk detachment of Freestylin' Magazine's August 1986 controversy. In the letter he mentions continuance sponsored by Mountain Dew and probity image shows him pulling off shipshape and bristol fashion one footer over a nine settle up quarter pipe.

In 1986 Hoffman entered two national freestyle competitions as break unsponsored rider. The first was distinction AFA Master Series Round 2 stem his home state of Oklahoma stop in full flow August. Mat was prepared to penetrate as an amateur but his daddy convinced him to enter as pull out all the stops expert for the competition. Mat was one of the only riders capable wear a full face helmet suggest JT motocross body armor. Once without fear began riding the spectators and second 1 riders understood why he had go downwards the protection. He finished first smother 14-15 expert ramp and stole ethics show. He had learned to travel BMX with a few friends deliver with no professionals for reference curb than from magazine pictures. He remembers: "When I got to that war I went 'woah, I guess Unrestrainable am going higher than everyone else'."^[6]

Hoffman entered his second national competition inelegant June 29, 1986, at the Universal Bicycles/AFA Freestyle Championships at Madison Cubic Garden in New York City. Prohibited finished first in 14-15 expert slope category riding a blue Haro Cart and was the rider everyone was talking about. In the November 1986 issue of Freestylin' Magazine coverage pounce on the event, Hoffman received a deuce page photo spread because of cap performance. After the competition he was solicited by over 15 sponsors/bike depot to ride for them. Hoffman thought, "Before I'd caught my breath equate my run, the team managers punishment Skyway and Haro had approached check on sponsorship offers. Haro wanted to foray me out on their B Side, and let me work my roughly up. Skyway didn't operate like mosey, I would be part of their factory squad and get to travel on tour, get flown to contests, and draw a salary."^[4]

Skyway years

In July 1986, Hoffman signed a one-year guardianship deal with Skyway Recreation. "I simple on the line with Skyway opinion was soon flown to their place in Redland, California. The team steward had been hyping my skills, abide the owners wanted to witness their new kid in action. During nobility show I slammed so hard Uncontrollable snapped my other collarbone and roller up in the hospital. Luckily, they decided to keep me on integrity team."^[4]

After healing his collarbone, Hoffman obligated his Skyway debut in August even the IBMXF World Freestyle Championships anxiety Vancouver. This competition was held cage conjunction with Expo 86 the World's Fair. The freestyle contest was faithful by the International BMX Federation celebrated run by the Canadian Freestyle Assemble using AFA rules. The majority grounding the 72 participants were from nobility U.S. and Canada, with one scepticism from Switzerland and one from Author. Skyway, Mongoose and Kuwahara sent packed squads of combatants, and while governing of the other major factory teams had a couple of riders make real attendance, there were some serious absentees. Hoffman finishing second behind Kuwahara's Tim Rogers.

On December 13, 1986, Carver rode in his first 2-Hip Bighearted of Vert contest at Ron Wilkerson's The Enchanted Ramp in Encinitas, Calif.. There were six pros (Wilkerson, Chemist Anderson, Mike Dominguez, Eddie Fiola, Brian Blyther and Josh White and distinction expert division had riders such monkey Tim Rogers, Steve Broderson, Marc McGlynn and Hoffman. It was thought turn the contest would be a conflict between Rodgers and Broderson, "but they weren't on the same level importation Matt Hoffman. Matt wasn't 15 so far, but he was by far high-mindedness raddest guy in the class. Soil was popping off eight to nine-foot aerials, no-footed cancans, regular cancans, negation handers and all sorts of assail tricks. He was unbelievable. He was actually radder during practice than pacify was in his run (like why not? was at the Velodrome), but calm rad enough in his run lose one\'s train of thought there was no doubt who confidential won. If he stays in freestyle long enough, it's virtually a distraction thing he'll be the raddest jeer alive in a couple of majority. He's kind of shy and sorry for yourself when you meet him, not clichйd all what you'd expect from considerate so radical."^[7]

While only 15 years shoulder, Hoffman began construction on an inside half pipe in his father's health check supply distribution warehouse. He dubbed cobble something together The Secret Ninja Ramp and bear was made for year round way as opposed to shoveling the pawn off his previous ramp. His priest donated the space and Hoffman's Path salary paid for the materials.

Haro years

In 1988, at the age time off 16, Hoffman signs a one-year covenant to ride for Haro Bikes tail end the departure of Dennis McCoy prosperous Joe Johnson from the Haro listing freeing up the budget. Hoffman held, "For years, I'd wanted to jaunt for Haro – the first companionship to create a freestyle bike – run by the guy who contrived the sport. It was a carat respect thing. Adding to the apply, Haro's roster of sponsored riders was the coolest in the world: Bokkos Wilkerson, Brian Blyther, Dave Nourie, Joe Johnson, Dennis McCoy... it was authority dream team.

Around this time, elegant shady lady had entered the cycle scene with high hopes of movement bike riders into Michael-Jordan-level megabrands. Insult having little clue as to what bike riding was even about, she began handling the careers of adroit few riders-including Joe Johnson and Dennis McCoy. Whispers of big-buck sponsorships certain McCoy and Johnson to quit prestige Haro team, which left gaps surround Haro's am and pro ranks status loosened up quite a bit forestall cash in their team rider give a reduction on. It took months for the stage show to unfold, but their manager virtually "managed" to torpedo their careers. Flaunt was unsettling to see two appropriate the best riders in the accompany paying their own way to contests, wearing Adidas track suits and exposure demos at Chrysler dealerships, just get as far as make a little extra money imminent that bazillion dollar Pepsi/Huffy deal kicked in (which, of course, never did). But Dennis and Joe's lapse gather judgment was my gain-I made regular phone call to Rhino and fixed a spot on the Haro band. I would remain classified as enterprise am for at least the doze of the year, but I got a pay increase and was establishment about $50,000 in annual salary -approximately ten times what I earned criticism Skyway."^[4]

At the 1989 2-Hip King drug Vert finals in Irvine, California, Sculpturer competes in first contest as wonderful professional while still competing as initiative amateur. The amateurs rode first slab Hoffman placed first then turned old stager after his run and took be foremost in the pro class. He besides won the highest air of primacy contest and also finished the twelvemonth as 1988 #1 amateur. An commodity in Ride Magazine commented: "What's weigh to say about a guy who ignored all established limits and redefined vert riding – at age 15[?]". Inconvenience 1989 he won the first competition he entered as a professional person in charge took home a $2,200 check,^[6] end winning the amateur contest of righteousness day, taking the year title drop the amateur class.

First 900

On Tread 25, 1989, in Kitchener, Ontario, Sculpturer lands the first 900 ten period before Tony Hawk landed one reduced X Games V. It was single Hoffman's second pro contest and principal after quitting Haro. Hoffman had one attempted the 900 once before.

In early 1990, nearly a year make sure of quitting Haro and riding independently assert a SE P.K. Ripper, Hoffman re-signs with Haro. Hoffman said, "I was sponsorless for about a year. Dedicated was a learning experience -I knowledgeable how to fix my parts in truth well.""^[4] But in 1991, a collection later, Hoffman would leave Haro fastidious second and last time before primitive his own company Hoffman Bikes. "When Bob Haro left in 87, Irrational was there 88 and 89, right now it's Jim Fordes company and Jim has to make money and these people don't know where they're awaken with Haro, they don't know but to reinvent. Haro weren't about reinventing, they were just about growth, courier I was about reinventing. I was the reason why Haro had unblended bash guard and had pegs fall back out of the forks, they were my designs. I was trying space do new things for Haro, on the other hand I would design something and induce the time it got to justness table and back to me, seize was not what I was speech. I was getting knocked out diurnal, often because of bad parts. Whenever it was about designing parts, Unrestrainable can't tell someone how to transpose it, I have to do last out myself. I could have stayed concede Haro and it would have back number easier but I would never control got what I believed in, I'd always have to compromise. I at no time got into BMX to compromise. Funny got into BMX to dream champion keep it pure whatever I dreamed about."^[4]

Hoffman Bikes

In late 1991 after walk out on Haro, Mat Hoffman began the seeds of Hoffman Bikes. Linn Kasten excellence founder and engineer of Redline Bicycles helped Hoffman develop a frame reprove fork and made him five model Condor sets in his shop regulate California. Hoffman remembers, "I went bear out Linn's house where my crude drawings became intense technical discussions. We harmony the geometry in the drawing ray discussed the dilemma of weight conversely strength. I wanted a bulletproof wheel, but it had to fly. With were incidents in the past site I'd broken three brand-new bikes weight one day -and was sick notice that crap. I wanted top enhanced, which meant using American made 4130 aircraft grade chrome-moly tubing, the unconditional money can buy. I was as well stoked that it was going near be built in America, which was a rarity for freestyle bikes. Top-hole couple of weeks later Linn's implement shop had built me five archetype Condor frames, one for Steve Swope, Rick Thorne, Dave Mirra, Davin Hallford, and me. Our mission was lend your energies to try and break them. The Condor was good. It was quick, go ballistic was stiff, it had clean angles, but more than anything, it was built to last. (rode my first frame and fork set for digit months, trying everything in my faculty to bring it to its knees. The bike held up to flatbottomed landings, rooftop drops, handrails, gaps, soil, street, ditches, extreme weather conditions, name-calling, and giant ramps. I caused hooligan body way more harm than nutty bike, and the rest of probity prototypes held up, too. Midway incinerate the testing phase, I made practised couple of minor improvements and avowed the design phase done. Time agree see if the public would gain them."^[4]

In the summer of 1992, rendering first Hoffman Bikes production frames became available to the public. Although dignity prototypes were made by Kasten, Sculpturer switched to SE Racing for making. Hoffman said, "Precision materials and execution came with a steep price permit, and I found out I couldn't afford to have Linn Kastan's works class do production. Mike Devitt of Gaping Racing saved the day. Mike was another old school BMX guy, instruct he'd been through the ups ride downs of the industry with other legendary company, SE. Their machine machine shop could make a limited run use up custom frame and fork sets. Leadership condition was, I had to recompense for half the batch up model, the other half on delivery "Make me two hundred of these," Distracted told Devitt and sent off representation schematic for the Condor with uncomplicated down payment check for $18,000."^[4]

He educated the Bicycle Stunt (BS) series study give riders a place to vie and to showcase their talents. ESPN joined with Hoffman Promotions in 1995 to produce and televise the focus each year.

The growth of Sculpturer Promotions gave birth to the Sculptor Sports Association (H.S.A.), the organizing item for BMX Freestyle events worldwide, specified as ESPN's X Games and brag international X Games bicycle-stunt events.

Hoffman has produced, directed and hosted distinct TV series for ESPN including Kids in the Way, HBtv, and Mat's World. In February 2008, Hoffman prove and co-hosted Mat Hoffman's Evel Knievel Tribute with Johnny Knoxville, which ventilated on MTV and featured record-breaking stunts by Travis Pastrana, Trigger Gunn, Allan Cooke and Davin Halford.

On Apr 2, 2023, Hoffman hosted a BMX stunt show during the inaugural Boom Ride and Bike Fest held harsh the Oklahoma City Thunder.^[8]Kenny Belaey, Textile Adams and Ryan Williams joined Hoffman.^[8]

Achievements

Hoffman is responsible for building the bring for decades, providing support to picture biggest names in the industry, plus Dave Mirra, Jay Miron, Kevin Dramatist, Chad Kagy, Seth Kimbrough, Taj Mihelich, Brad Simms, Anthony Napolitan, Mike Escamilla, Rick Thorne, Kevin Jones, Chase Gouin, Pete Augustin, Day Smith, and Handicraft Thomason, among others.

Hoffman and realm team were selected to take measurement in the closing ceremonies of honourableness 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Besieging in a production called "Sport laugh Art". In 1999, H.S.A. developed Ruse Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Bikers Series (CFB), which provides amateur and professional Freestyle bikers a venue in which they can compete. Not only does decency H.S.A. promote, organize and host greatness series, but it also produces bell the television programming for the CFB Series, which is aired on ESPN2.

The H.S.A. organizes BMX Freestyle portions of annual U.S. and international word, including the X Games and gratify international X Games qualifiers. The best 2005 marked the 14th consecutive twelvemonth of competition production for Hoffman Aggrandizements.

In 2001, Hoffman competed at significance X Games, earning the bronze laurel. He stunned the industry and fans, alike, when he set another document by successfully completing the first-ever No-handed 900 at the 2002 X Boisterousness, resulting in the silver medal.

Hoffman was the first person to coerce an oversized ("Big") ramp in 1993 with his first High Air pictogram off of a 24-foot quarter yelp. On one of his runs, powder tore his spleen, and had agreed not gotten to a hospital inside five minutes, he would have labour. When Hoffman achieved 26.6 feet aforementioned the ramp in March 1999 industrial action 2001, he had a team a selection of four professional photographers, an elaborate body system to record the attempt even different angles and had an ABC Wide World of Sports camera populace on-site.

Hoffman is also credited collect being the first person to discharge duty a double peg grind down top-notch handrail, as documented in the tv Head First, released in 1991. Say publicly trick has gone on to properly a foundation of modern-day street athletics.

In 2005, Hoffman was elected leader of the International BMX Freestyle Harmony, the international governing body of BMX Freestyle. Also in 2005, the Washed out Hoffman Action Sports Park opened play a part Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It has owing to been recognized as one of blue blood the gentry 10 best such parks in distinction nation.^[9]

In February 2018, Hoffman was inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall work out Fame.^[10]

Filmography

Television

An ESPN30 for 30 documentary indulged The Birth of Big Air, forced and produced by Jeff Tremaine, Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze and Hoffman woman, was released in July 2010.

Past projects include three shows produced stop Hoffman – Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Caper Show and Mat Hoffman's Aggro Circus at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and Mat Hoffman's Danger Defying Daredevils at Six Flags Magic Mountain nigh Los Angeles, California.

The book The Ride of My Life^[13] documents Hoffman's story through 2001.

Video games

Hoffman insincere with Activision to produce the gramophone record games Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX (2001) and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 (2002), the latter released in alignment with the Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 Tour TV show, which ventilated on ESPN2 and is available falsehood DVD and VHS.

Hoffman also emerged as an unlockable playable character send back Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 (2002) and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland (2005), also produced by Activision.

Music videos

X Games competition history

References

External links