Mat Hoffman
Encyclopedia
Mat Hoffman is an American BMX
rider considered one of the best vert-ramp
riders in the history of the sport. He is nicknamed "The Condor" and owns the BMX Freestyle brand Hoffman BMX Bikes, based out of Oklahoma City
, OK
.
circuit. An article in Ride Magazine wrote, “What’s left to say about a guy who ignored all established limits and redefined vert riding - at age 15.”
By 1991, Hoffman had already surpassed amateur rank, seized the pro division and brought the sport to new heights never thought possible, inventing the majority of the Vert tricks today. By this year and the age of 5, Hoffman started both Hoffman Promotions and Hoffman Bikes.
He developed the Bull Shit (BS) Series to give riders a place to compete and showcase their talents. ESPN joined with Hoffman Promotions in 1995 to produce and televise the series each year.
The growth of Hoffman Promotions gave birth to the Hoffman Sports Association (H.S.A.), which is the organizing body for BMX Freestyle events worldwide, such as ESPN’s X Games and all international X Games bicycle stunt events.
Hoffman has produced, directed and hosted several TV series for ESPN including “Kids in the Way,” “HBtv” and “Mat’s World.” In February 2008, Hoffman produced and co-hosted “Mat Hoffman’s Evel Knievel Tribute” with Johnny Knoxville, which aired on MTV and featured record-breaking stunts by Travis Pastrana, Trigger Gunn, Allan Cooke and Davin Halford.
Hoffman partnered with Activision to produce Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX video game and Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2 video game – released in August 2002, in conjunction with the release of Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX2 Tour TV show, which aired on ESPN2 and is available on DVD and VHS.
He has been involved in a number of film projects: “Keep Your Eyes Open,” produced by Tamra Davis and starring Spike Jonze; IMAX film “Ultimate X”; “Triple X,” a Rob Cohen film, starring Vin Diesel; “Jackass-The Movie,” “Jackass-Number 2” and "Jackass 3-D".
An ESPN
30 for 30
documentary entitled “The Birth of Big Air,” directed and produced by Jeff Tremaine
and additionally produced by Johnny Knoxville
, Spike Jonze
and Hoffman, himself, was released in July 2010.
Other current projects include two shows produced by Hoffman – Mat Hoffman’s Aggro Circus at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and Mat Hoffman’s Danger Defying Daredevils at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, CA.
, Jay Miron
, Kevin Robinson
, Chad Kagy, Seth Kimbrough
, Taj Mahelich, Brad Simms, Anthony Napolitan, Mike Escamilla, Rick Thorne
, Kevin Jones, Chase Gouin, Day Smith
, Art Thomason
and many more.
Hoffman and his team were also selected to take part in the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., in a production called “Sport as Art.” In 1999, H.S.A. developed Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin’ Bikers Series (CFB), which provides amateur and professional Freestyle bikers a venue in which they can compete. Not only does the H.S.A. promote, organize and host the series, but it also produces all 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 events, including the X Games and all international X Games qualifiers. The year 2005 marked the 14th consecutive year of competition production for Hoffman Promotions.
In 2001, Hoffman competed at the X Games, earning the Bronze Medal. He stunned the industry and fans, alike, when he set another record by successfully completing the first-ever No-handed 900 at the 2002 X Games, resulting in the Silver Medal.
Hoffman was the first person to ride an over-sized ("Big") ramp in 1993 with his first High Air attempt off of a 24-foot quarter pipe, in fact, on one of his runs, he tore his spleen and almost died. When Hoffman achieved 50.6 feet above the ground in March 2001, he had a team of four professional photographers, an elaborate scaffolding system to record the attempt at different angles and had an ABC Wide World Of Sports camera crew on-site, as well.
In 2005, Mat was elected the President of the International BMX Freestyle Federation, the international governing body of BMX Freestyle - a partner with Union Cyclists International (UCI), the bicycle governing body for the International Olympic Committee.
Also in 2005, the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park opened in Oklahoma City
, Oklahoma
. It has since been recognized as one of the ten best such parks in the nation.
to produce the video games Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
, the latter released in August 2002 in conjunction with the Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX2 Tour TV show. Hoffman also appeared in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
, also produced by Activision.
In the early 1990's, Hoffman got tired of always going to the hospital for little things like cuts and scrapes. Evenually he learned how to stitch himself.
BMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
rider considered one of the best vert-ramp
Vert ramp
A vert ramp is a form of half-pipe used in "extreme sports" such as skateboarding.Another form of half-pipe is the mini ramp.Vert ramps are so named because they transition from a horizontal plane to a vertical wall....
riders in the history of the sport. He is nicknamed "The Condor" and owns the BMX Freestyle brand Hoffman BMX Bikes, based out of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, OK
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Bio
In 1987, at the age of 15, Mat Hoffman was the youngest rider joining the freestyle BMXBMX
Bicycle motocross or BMX refers to the sport in which the main goal is extreme racing on bicycles in motocross style on tracks with inline start and expressive obstacles, and it is also the term that refers to the bicycle itself that is designed for dirt and motocross cycling.- History :BMX started...
circuit. An article in Ride Magazine wrote, “What’s left to say about a guy who ignored all established limits and redefined vert riding - at age 15.”
By 1991, Hoffman had already surpassed amateur rank, seized the pro division and brought the sport to new heights never thought possible, inventing the majority of the Vert tricks today. By this year and the age of 5, Hoffman started both Hoffman Promotions and Hoffman Bikes.
He developed the Bull Shit (BS) Series to give riders a place to compete and showcase their talents. ESPN joined with Hoffman Promotions in 1995 to produce and televise the series each year.
The growth of Hoffman Promotions gave birth to the Hoffman Sports Association (H.S.A.), which is the organizing body for BMX Freestyle events worldwide, such as ESPN’s X Games and all international X Games bicycle stunt events.
Hoffman has produced, directed and hosted several TV series for ESPN including “Kids in the Way,” “HBtv” and “Mat’s World.” In February 2008, Hoffman produced and co-hosted “Mat Hoffman’s Evel Knievel Tribute” with Johnny Knoxville, which aired on MTV and featured record-breaking stunts by Travis Pastrana, Trigger Gunn, Allan Cooke and Davin Halford.
Hoffman partnered with Activision to produce Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX video game and Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2 video game – released in August 2002, in conjunction with the release of Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX2 Tour TV show, which aired on ESPN2 and is available on DVD and VHS.
He has been involved in a number of film projects: “Keep Your Eyes Open,” produced by Tamra Davis and starring Spike Jonze; IMAX film “Ultimate X”; “Triple X,” a Rob Cohen film, starring Vin Diesel; “Jackass-The Movie,” “Jackass-Number 2” and "Jackass 3-D".
An ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
30 for 30
30 for 30
30 for 30 is the umbrella title for a series of documentaries airing on ESPN and its sister networks. The series, which premiered in October 2009 and concluded in December 2010, chronicles 30 stories from the "ESPN era," each of which detail the issues, trends, people, teams, or events that...
documentary entitled “The Birth of Big Air,” directed and produced by Jeff Tremaine
Jeff Tremaine
Jeffery James "Jeff" Tremaine is an American film and television producer/director, and, along with Johnny Knoxville and Spike Jonze, one of the creators of MTV's Jackass. He directed Jackass: The Movie, Jackass Number Two, Jackass 3D, and Jackass spinoff Wildboyz...
and additionally produced by Johnny Knoxville
Johnny Knoxville
Philip John Clapp , better known by his stage name Johnny Knoxville, is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, stunt performer, best known for being the co-creator and principal star of the MTV reality series Jackass, with the catchphrase "I'm Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jackass."-Early...
, Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze
Spike Jonze is an American director, producer and actor, whose work includes music videos, commercials, film and television...
and Hoffman, himself, was released in July 2010.
Other current projects include two shows produced by Hoffman – Mat Hoffman’s Aggro Circus at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and Mat Hoffman’s Danger Defying Daredevils at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, CA.
Achievements
Hoffman is responsible for building the sport for decades, providing support to the biggest names in the industry, including Dave MirraDave Mirra
David Michael "Dave" Mirra is an American BMX athlete, Subaru Rally Team USA driver and business owner. Mirra holds the record for most X-Games medals, standing and has medaled in every X Games since they started in 1995. His current medal count as of July 31, 2009 in the X Games is 24...
, Jay Miron
Jay Miron
Jay Lawrence McNeil Miron is a retired Canadian BMX athlete and former owner of MacNeil Bikes. Miron has competed in several X-Games competition since 1995, compiling 9 medals, including the first ever X-Games gold medal for Bike Dirt. In addition, Miron is credited with inventing more than 30...
, Kevin Robinson
Kevin Robinson
Kevin Lee Robinson is a professional gridiron football wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, Chad Kagy, Seth Kimbrough
Seth Kimbrough
Seth Kimbrough is a professional BMX rider, most notable for being the vocalist of Mortal Treason until the band's break-up in 2005.-Biography:...
, Taj Mahelich, Brad Simms, Anthony Napolitan, Mike Escamilla, Rick Thorne
Rick Thorne
Rick Thorne in Kansas City, Missouri, USA , is a professional BMX rider for Famous Stars and Straps, as well as an actor/TV and radio host and a musician. He began riding at age 12 and entered his first competition at age 15...
, Kevin Jones, Chase Gouin, Day Smith
Day Smith
Day Smith is an American flatland BMX rider. He has been riding professionally since 1993, sponsored by Hoffman Bikes and Split USA, and was featured in the videogame Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2 for PlayStation 2....
, Art Thomason
Art Thomason
Arthur Wilson Thomason was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for one season. He played in 20 games for the Cleveland Naps during the 1910 Cleveland Naps season. He was later the player/manager of the Rock Island Islanders of the Mississippi Valley League from 1922-1923.-External links:...
and many more.
Hoffman and his team were also selected to take part in the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., in a production called “Sport as Art.” In 1999, H.S.A. developed Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin’ Bikers Series (CFB), which provides amateur and professional Freestyle bikers a venue in which they can compete. Not only does the H.S.A. promote, organize and host the series, but it also produces all the television programming for the CFB Series, which is aired on ESPN2
ESPN2
ESPN2 is an American sports cable television network owned by ESPN. The channel debuted on October 1, 1993.Originally nicknamed "the deuce," ESPN2 was initially branded as a network for a younger generation of sports fans featuring edgier graphics as well as extreme sports like motocross,...
.
The H.S.A. organizes BMX Freestyle portions of annual U.S. and international events, including the X Games and all international X Games qualifiers. The year 2005 marked the 14th consecutive year of competition production for Hoffman Promotions.
In 2001, Hoffman competed at the X Games, earning the Bronze Medal. He stunned the industry and fans, alike, when he set another record by successfully completing the first-ever No-handed 900 at the 2002 X Games, resulting in the Silver Medal.
Hoffman was the first person to ride an over-sized ("Big") ramp in 1993 with his first High Air attempt off of a 24-foot quarter pipe, in fact, on one of his runs, he tore his spleen and almost died. When Hoffman achieved 50.6 feet above the ground in March 2001, he had a team of four professional photographers, an elaborate scaffolding system to record the attempt at different angles and had an ABC Wide World Of Sports camera crew on-site, as well.
In 2005, Mat was elected the President of the International BMX Freestyle Federation, the international governing body of BMX Freestyle - a partner with Union Cyclists International (UCI), the bicycle governing body for the International Olympic Committee.
Also in 2005, the Mat Hoffman Action Sports Park opened in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. It has since been recognized as one of the ten best such parks in the nation.
Video games
Cody worked with ActivisionActivision
Activision is an American publisher, majority owned by French conglomerate Vivendi SA. Its current CEO is Robert Kotick. It was founded on October 1, 1979 and was the world's first independent developer and distributor of video games for gaming consoles...
to produce the video games Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX is a BMX video game developed by Runecraft and published by Activision. It was released in 2001 for various systems, including the Game Boy Color, PlayStation, Dreamcast, and Game Boy Advance. It was also released for Windows. The game was followed by Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2...
and Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2
Mat Hoffman Pro BMX 2 is the sequel to Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX. It was made available for the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox.-Gameplay:...
, the latter released in August 2002 in conjunction with the Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX2 Tour TV show. Hoffman also appeared in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4
-External links:* on the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine...
and Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland
Tony Hawk's American Wasteland, abbreviated to THAW, is a video game that was released for the PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo GameCube and PC on October 18, 2005. Part of the Tony Hawk series, the game was developed by Neversoft and published by Activision.The PC version of the game was ported and...
, also produced by Activision.
In the early 1990's, Hoffman got tired of always going to the hospital for little things like cuts and scrapes. Evenually he learned how to stitch himself.