‘Keep his legacy alive’: Skateboarder Tony Hawk to donate proceeds from auctioning autographed postcards to Tyre Nichols’ memorial fund
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE: Tony Hawk aspires to uphold Tyre Nichols' legacy as a fellow skater. The renowned skater is now auctioning off autographed postcards and contributing the money to Tyre Nichols' memorial fund. One of its goals is the construction of a skatepark in memory of the young guy. Talented skateboarder, Nichols passed away on January 10, three days after being stopped by five police officers in Memphis, Tennessee, and being subjected to beatings, pepper spraying, and tasing.
Hawk revealed that the postcard would feature both him and BMX rider Rick Throne, and bear their respective signatures. Hawk will provide half of the total revenues to Nichols' charity. The tweet read, "Rick Thorne & I have been traveling & doing demos together for over 20 years. And we continue to ride together well into our twilight days. As a tribute to our tenacity, we're offering a signed photo of us doing doubles before the world turned upside down (and before I got hurt)", In a subsequent tweet he added, "My proceeds from these will go to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, which includes plans to build a public skatepark in his honor; as our worlds continue to grieve his loss. He was a talented skater among other admirable traits. Let's keep his legacy alive"
RELATED ARTICLES
As a pioneer of vertical skateboarding, Hawk holds the distinction of being one of the most influential skateboarders of all time. Additionally, he is known as the first skateboarder to land a "900" while in the air, involving 2.5 revolutions. He has remained active in promoting skateboarding and philanthropy work despite retiring from competitive skateboarding in 2003.
My proceeds from these will go to the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, which includes plans to build a public skatepark in his honor; as our worlds continue to grieve his loss. He was a talented skater among other admirable traits. Let's keep his legacy alive: https://t.co/wHTZfLzqq7
— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) February 3, 2023
Tyre Nichols' tragic death
Nichols, 29, was pulled over by police on his way home on Jan. 7. He was just a few minutes from his mother and stepfather's home when he was beaten by five Memphis police officers in what authorities described as a brutal attack. These individuals have since been charged with second-degree murder and other crimes. Within three days of the attack, Nichols died. Additionally, several other officers that responded to the scene have been terminated. Memphis authorities released a video of the beating, which sent shockwaves across the nation. In honor of Nichols's life, rallies have taken place across the Mid-South and across the country. Nichols was a skateboarder, FedEx worker, and father to a 4-year-old boy.
'He wouldn't hurt a fly'
A compilation video showing Nichols skating in Sacramento, California, was put online by podcaster, lawyer, and community advocate Camara Williams late last month as bodycam evidence of his brutal arrest was becoming viral, as reported by Insider. As the world learned of the brutality committed against Nichols, it served as a means to commemorate his passion.
"If the worst moment in your life was the only thing people remembered you by, that would be sad," Williams said.
The crowdfunding campaign for the Tyre Nichols Memorial Fund, founded by Nichols' mother RowVaughn Wells, has so far raised more than $1.3 million. "Tyre Nichols was loved by his community and was known to be gentle, kind, and joyful," Wells wrote on the crowdfunding page. "He loved skating and was originally from the Bay Area in California. He was known as someone 'you know when he comes through the door he wants to give you a hug' and that 'he wouldn't hurt a fly'."