One of my childhood heroes has died. Like 90% of American boys in the '70s, I idolized Evel Knievel. I remember once setting up a ramp and trying to jump my bicycle over ... my brother, I think. The bike came out from under me and I landed flat on my back. That was the only time in my life I ever saw stars, just like in the cartoons. Rest in peace, Evel.
On what date did Evel's father's father's paternal grandmother arrive in America, and where is she thought to be buried?
Here's a good illustration of how a family story can morph into a fairy tale. It's been established that NFL kicker Adam Vinatieri is a descendant of General George Custer's bandmaster, Felix Vinatieri, and a fourth cousin of professional daredevil Evel Knievel.
Here's how an AP story—appearing in about a bazillion papers—lays out his family tree:
A descendant of Gen. George Custer and a third cousin of Evel Knievel, Vinatieri once caught Herschel Walker from behind and tackled him. He hasn't had to hear about being "just a kicker" since then. [Link]In future articles, expect Vinatieri to be described as the half-brother of Herschel Walker.
