Evel Knievel Caesars Palace Photograph

The Fountains at Ceasars Palace

Robert Craig "Evel" Knievel, Jr., born October 17, 1938 in Butte, Montana, is a stuntman...and showman...for the ages. He is best known for his public displays of long distance motorcycle jumping that, more often than not, resulted in serious injuries. His achievements and failures earned him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records several times including his record forty broken bones. Without a doubt his most famous jump was over the fountains at Caesars Palace on December 31, 1967. While in Las Vegas to watch a middleweight title fight, Knievel first saw the fountains at Caesars Palace, and decided to jump them. Evel used his own money to have actor/director John Derek produce a film of the Caesars jump. To keep costs low, Derek used his then-wife, Linda Evans, as one of the camera operators. It was Evans that filmed Knievel's famous landing. For some reason when Evel hit the takeoff ramp, his motorcycle unexpectedly decelerated. The sudden loss of power on the takeoff caused Knievel to come up short. His handlebars were ripped out of his hands as he tumbled over them onto the pavement where he skidded into the nearby Dunes parking lot. As a result, Knievel received a crushed pelvis and femur, fractures to his hip, wrist and both ankles and a concussion that kept him in a coma for 29 days. But he also was more famous than ever. ABC-TV bought the rights to the film of the disastrous jump giving Knievel the worldwide exposure he had long sought. This unforgettable jump is captured beautifully in this vintage 16x20 photograph. Hand-signed by Evel and Sports Gallery Quality Framed in thick black wood, UV-protective glass, classic double matting and descriptive plaque, this is a unique collectible from a truly unique moment in American sports history.