So this was going to start as a post about a New York Times article titled Out From the Cold, Snowboarder Tries to Duplicate Success that was basically about how Shaun may be a superstar on the snow, but he’s been a failure on the ramp, at least in terms of his struggle to win the X-Games vert event and be taken seriously as a skateboarder. [Source] That’s a bit of an overstatement really. Does not winning the X-Games makes you a failure? Not in my book, but apparently you’re not even a real skateboarder until you win the X-Games. In ‘Flying Tomato’ now a champ for all seasons, the Boston Herald Quotes Shaun after finally winning one this weekend:
“This means the world to me,” choking back tears after his run. “I’ve always wanted to be a skateboarder. I’m finally doing my thing.”
Uh yeah. I guess it was emotional for him. We can cut him some slack since he’s doesn’t appear to be nearly as big of a douche bag as the Sheckler, and he’s already paying a penance by not having any control over being constantly referred to as the Flying Tomato.
Links to a couple more articles about Shaun’s vert title win and a video of Sheckler getting the world’s most ego-centric tattoo after the jump. [Photos: Left – AP / Ryan Pearson from The Denver Post. Right – Buzz Photo from Perez Hilton Hey Perez, it’s Shaun, not Shawn. This is the second time I’ve swiped a photo from Perez.]
Shaun White wins X-Games vert
The New York Times article titled Out From the Cold, Snowboarder Tries to Duplicate Success – No longer a free read. Now you have to pay to read the article, so don’t bother.
From SignOnSanDiego.com White saves best for last, wins vert title
From The Denver Post “Flying Tomato” finally soars to lofty goal: skateboard champ
From The Boston Herald ‘Flying Tomato’ now a champ for all seasons.
Ryan Sheckler gets a giant “Sheckler” tattoo.
Nice. He even wears his Red Bull hat while getting tattooed. Sheckler ought to spring for spelling lessons for his posse, since they can’t spell tattoo. I mean, I assume the tattoo shop knows how to spell it.
11 comments
jer
shawn white seems alright, kind of the new millennium tony hawk.
sheckler is a douche, no wait, sheckler is a super douche, sheckler is a super used douche, how long before he gets involved with crazy drugs, goes to jail and finds jesus?
Kilwag
You guys are reading too much into this. There’s no real “hating” Shaun White. I’m mostly making fun of the way the media treats him.
moe29
Shaun White kills it… i don’t understand the hate. His 540s are amazing.
Concretin
The X-Games (sadly) isn’t for the skater viewing audience… it’s for JoePedestrian. And JP wants to see air, and gnarly slams, and motorcycle carnage, and cars flippin’ over…
JP doesn’t care about some kid doing a switch treflip krooks down a 9 set rail. He probably sees that as rail vandalism…
jf
I know, it’s so weird. Vert is the big event at the xgames but then as soon as it’s over you never see any vert riding at all (in the big crappy skate mags). Opposite for street skating, they only showed highlights on tv. I don’t get it.
JF
I think Shaun rips and he deserves it..he’s a good kid.
Ash
I say good for him! If you could ever call skateboarding work, this kid has obviously put in a lot of overtime. Its just weird how the Xgames is exactly the opposite of the regular skate industry. All the focus on vert. Was the street contest even televised?
Kilwag
Yeah, he does seem a lot more grounded than others in his position.
Where is Jeff Hedges today? Why, right here:
That’s the former Ffej when he was in town for Troy Sliter’s wedding a couple of years ago. He’s a software developer now.
Estes
I’m proud of this kid. He’s very grounded, he has a great family that has supported his dream, with support like that- Zane Tobin could be in his shoes someday. Where is Jeff Hedges today?
Conahan
Actually he
Kilwag
Ha! good one!
Livmo
Is it just me, or does Shaun White look more and more like a mid 80’s Ffej?