Digest

This episode of Crime in Sports delves into the life of Evil Keneval, a notorious figure known for his wild stunts and criminal activities. The episode begins by exploring his early life in Butte, Montana, a town known for its mining industry and its wild, lawless atmosphere. We learn about his dysfunctional family, his upbringing by his grandparents, and the influence of Butte's unique culture on his personality. The episode then transitions to Evil Keneval's early criminal activities, including his fondness for drinking, gambling, and stealing, as well as his reckless behavior, such as driving his motorcycle at high speeds and performing dangerous stunts. The episode highlights Evil Keneval's rise to fame as a daredevil, focusing on his motorcycle stunts and his involvement in motorcycle races. We learn about his reckless driving habits, which often put him in danger, and his involvement in various scams, including burglaries, safe cracking, and counterfeit wine schemes. The episode also discusses Evil Keneval's frequent visits to detention, his enlistment in the US Army reserves, and his failed attempts at legitimate work. The episode reveals the origin of Evil Keneval's infamous name, which was given to him by a jailer who compared him to another notorious criminal known as "Awful Kanoffel." The episode also discusses Evil Keneval's own perspective on his name and his desire to be seen as a larger-than-life figure. The episode concludes by exploring Evil Keneval's early daredevil career, highlighting his first stunt, which involved jumping over flaming boards on a Harley Davidson. We learn about his various stunts at the race track, including riding with a logging chain and making sparks, and his disastrous attempt to jump over mountain lions and rattlesnakes. The episode ends with Evil Keneval's realization that he could make money by getting people to watch his stunts, setting the stage for his future daredevil career.

Outlines

00:00:00

Evil Keneval: A Life of Stunts and Crime

This episode of Crime in Sports introduces the story of Evil Keneval, a notorious figure known for his wild stunts and criminal activities. The episode promises to delve into his life, from his childhood in Butte, Montana, to his rise to fame as a daredevil and his involvement in various crimes.

00:00:32

Early Life and Family

The episode explores Evil Keneval's early life, focusing on his upbringing in Butte, Montana, a town known for its mining industry and its wild, lawless atmosphere. The episode highlights his dysfunctional family, including his parents' divorce and his upbringing by his grandparents, Ignatius and Emma.

00:17:54

The Influence of Butte

The episode continues to explore the impact of Butte on Evil Keneval's life, highlighting the town's unique culture and the influence of the mining industry on its residents. The episode discusses the dangerous working conditions in the mines and the fatalistic attitude that permeated the town.

00:19:06

Early Misdemeanors

The episode delves into Evil Keneval's early criminal activities, including his fondness for drinking, gambling, and stealing. The episode also mentions his tendency to engage in reckless behavior, such as driving his motorcycle at high speeds and performing dangerous stunts.

00:22:45

Daredevil Stunts and Reckless Behavior

The episode highlights Evil Keneval's penchant for daredevil stunts, including his habit of jumping his bicycle over obstacles and his willingness to take risks that could lead to serious injury or death. The episode also discusses a specific incident where he was knocked unconscious after being punched by his cousin.

00:29:35

Rise to Fame and Motorcycle Stunts

The episode transitions to Evil Keneval's later years, focusing on his rise to fame as a daredevil and his motorcycle stunts. The episode mentions his involvement in motorcycle races and his reckless driving habits, which often put him in danger.

00:33:34

Criminal Activities and Scams

The episode continues to explore Evil Keneval's criminal activities, including his involvement in burglaries, safe cracking, and various scams. The episode highlights his lack of remorse and his willingness to cheat and deceive others.

00:41:46

Detention and Army Service

The episode discusses Evil Keneval's frequent visits to detention and his eventual enlistment in the US Army reserves. The episode highlights his struggles with authority and his inability to conform to structured environments.

00:50:07

Marriage and Failed Attempts at Legitimate Work

The episode explores Evil Keneval's marriage to Linda Bork and his attempts to find legitimate work. The episode highlights his failures in various jobs, including his time working in the copper mines and his reckless driving that led to his arrest.

00:53:23

The Origin of the Name "Evil Keneval"

The episode reveals the origin of Evil Keneval's infamous name, which was given to him by a jailer who compared him to another notorious criminal known as "Awful Kanoffel." The episode also discusses Evil Keneval's own perspective on his name and his desire to be seen as a larger-than-life figure.

00:57:16

Early Life and Scams of Bob "Evil" Knievel

This chapter delves into the early life of Bob "Evil" Knievel, highlighting his mischievous nature and penchant for scams. It recounts stories of him stealing tires, selling a go-cart he didn't own, and even stealing hubcaps with a friend.

01:04:16

Knievel's Motorcycle Stunts and Daredevil Beginnings

This chapter focuses on Knievel's early motorcycle stunts, particularly his infamous attempt to ride his motorcycle up a mountain of tailings near an A&W restaurant. It also mentions his participation in local rodeos and ski jumping events, showcasing his early daredevil tendencies.

01:10:10

Knievel's Personality and Relationships

This chapter explores Knievel's personality, describing him as a charismatic but unpredictable individual with a tendency for arrogance and a lack of remorse. It also delves into his relationships, particularly his marriage to Linda, which was marked by a series of alleged kidnappings.

01:21:50

The Marriage of Bob and Linda Knievel

This chapter focuses on the controversial marriage of Bob and Linda Knievel, highlighting the disapproval of Linda's father and the various stories surrounding their elopement. It also touches upon Bob's womanizing tendencies and his views on traditional gender roles.

01:28:11

Knievel's Hunting Service and Elk Conservation Efforts

This chapter explores Knievel's foray into the hunting business with his "Sure Kill" service. It recounts his controversial efforts to save elk in Yellowstone National Park, including his trip to Washington D.C. to present a petition and elk antlers to President John F. Kennedy.

01:33:38

The "Merchant Policeman" Extortion Scheme

This chapter reveals Knievel's unique and illegal business venture, the "Merchant Policeman" scheme. He offered protection from robbery and vandalism to local businesses, but in reality, he was often the perpetrator of the crimes he claimed to prevent, using extortion to profit from his "services."

01:43:15

Knievel's Transition to Insurance Sales

This chapter details Knievel's shift from motorcycle racing to insurance sales after a collarbone injury. It explores his unconventional approach to selling insurance, his belief in positive mental attitude, and his eventual departure from the company due to his desire for rapid advancement.

01:47:34

The "Dick" Bet and Knievel's Con Artist Nature

This chapter recounts a bizarre incident in a Helena bar where Knievel bets a county attorney $500 that his penis is longer than the distance he could reach across the bar. The story highlights Knievel's manipulative and con artist nature, as he uses his charm and audacity to win bets and exploit others.

01:51:37

Knievel's Motorcycle Dealership and Arm Wrestling Challenge

This chapter describes Knievel's move to Moses Lake, Washington, where he opened a Honda motorcycle dealership. He used a unique promotional strategy, offering a $100 discount to anyone who could beat him in arm wrestling, further showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and love for a good challenge.

01:55:17

The "Flaming Boards" Stunt and Knievel's Influence

This chapter recounts a story about Knievel's attempt to convince a local English teacher and wrestling coach to perform a dangerous stunt involving riding through flaming boards. The story highlights Knievel's persuasive nature and his ability to influence others, even when it comes to risky and potentially harmful activities.

01:57:16

Keneval's First Daredevil Stunt

The story begins with Keneval's first daredevil stunt, which involved jumping over flaming boards on a Harley Davidson. Despite being forbidden by the district superintendent, Keneval went ahead with the stunt, crashing through the boards and emerging unscathed.

01:59:30

Keneval's Crazy Stunts at the Race Track

Keneval's daredevil antics continued at the race track, where he performed various stunts, including riding with a logging chain and making sparks. One particularly memorable incident involved him driving his motorcycle up a ramp and onto the back of a flatbed truck, then performing stationary wheelies.

02:01:41

Keneval's Mountain Lion and Rattlesnake Jump

Keneval's ambition led him to organize his own daredevil show, where he planned to jump over mountain lions and rattlesnakes. He hired a man with a roadside zoo to bring the animals to the event, but the jump ended in disaster when Keneval's back wheel hit the box containing the snakes, sending them scattering into the crowd.

02:09:53

Keneval's Early Daredevil Career

After the disastrous snake jump, Keneval continued to experiment with larger jumps, starting with boats and then cars. He realized that if he could get people to watch his stunts, he could make money, setting the stage for his future daredevil career.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the story of Evil Keneval?

  Evil Keneval, born Robert Craig Keneval, was a notorious daredevil and criminal known for his wild stunts and reckless behavior. The episode explores his life, from his childhood in Butte, Montana, to his rise to fame as a daredevil and his involvement in various crimes.

• How did Evil Keneval get his name?

  Evil Keneval's name was given to him by a jailer who compared him to another notorious criminal known as "Awful Kanoffel." The jailer said, "Well, we got an awful Kanoffel and now we got an evil Keneval."

• What were some of Evil Keneval's most notable criminal activities?

  Evil Keneval was involved in various criminal activities, including burglaries, safe cracking, and scams. He was known for his lack of remorse and his willingness to cheat and deceive others.

• What was the impact of Butte, Montana, on Evil Keneval's life?

  Butte, Montana, played a significant role in shaping Evil Keneval's life, influencing his personality and his criminal activities. The town's mining industry and its wild, lawless atmosphere contributed to his reckless behavior and his disregard for authority.

• What were some of Evil Keneval's most dangerous stunts?

  Evil Keneval was known for his motorcycle jumps and his willingness to take risks that could lead to serious injury or death. He often performed stunts that were beyond the limits of safety, such as jumping his bicycle over obstacles and driving his motorcycle at high speeds.

• What are some of the early scams that Bob "Evil" Knievel was known for?

  Knievel was known for stealing tires, selling a go-cart he didn't own, and even stealing hubcaps with a friend. These early scams demonstrate his mischievous nature and penchant for exploiting others.

• How did Bob "Evil" Knievel's motorcycle stunts contribute to his daredevil persona?

  Knievel's early motorcycle stunts, particularly his attempt to ride up a mountain of tailings, showcased his willingness to take risks and push boundaries. These stunts helped solidify his image as a daredevil and laid the foundation for his later, more famous jumps.

• What was Bob "Evil" Knievel's "Merchant Policeman" scheme, and how did it work?

  Knievel offered protection from robbery and vandalism to local businesses, but in reality, he was often the perpetrator of the crimes he claimed to prevent. He used extortion to profit from his "services," threatening businesses with further crimes if they didn't pay him.

• What was Keneval's first daredevil stunt?

  Keneval's first daredevil stunt involved jumping over flaming boards on a Harley Davidson. He was forbidden by the district superintendent, but he went ahead with the stunt anyway.

• How did Keneval's early daredevil career begin?

  After the disastrous snake jump, Keneval continued to experiment with larger jumps, starting with boats and then cars. He realized that if he could get people to watch his stunts, he could make money.

Show Notes