He began his higher education in 1944 at Bridgewater College (Virginia), where he played basketball and continued pole vaulting, and then transferred to the University of Illinois, where he received his A.B. Bob Richards waves to the crowd after winning the pole vault gold medal at 1956 Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Advertisement. Its the climax of all your dreams. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. If youve got a little tiny goal, a little tiny challenge, youll never make it., He brought up the boxer Cassius Clay, later known as Muhammad Ali, who was famous for saying, Im the greatest!, You know how important it is to feel that way about yourself? Mr. Richards said. London 1948, bronze (pole vault) Helsinki 1952, gold (pole vault) Melbourne 1956, gold (pole vault) . American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Bob Richards Gold Medalist Monday, February 15, 2016, 7:30 p.m.. A two-time Olympic gold medalist in pole vaulting - and the first person ever to appear on a Wheaties cereal box - will be this year's speaker at the Hill College Alden J. Blanar Smith Speaker Series on Feb. 15 in the Vara Martin Daniel Performing Arts Center in Hillsboro. For The Hometown Register, Illinois quick hits: Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away; Caterpillar reaches deal with union, 6 in 10 women still dont think theres enough body diversity in the media, Pritzker announces $60M park grants, declines to endorse Chicago mayor candidate, These trendy diets are the least healthy way to lose weight, AHA News: Mediterranean Lifestyle, Not Just Diet, May Greatly Improve Health, Judge clears portion of Flores v. NFL discrimination suit to proceed, Colts GM downplays desire to deal for No. Some clouds. Pole vault. He motivated millions of people to achieve their dreams through positive sports stories, Brandon wrote. For 100 years, Wheaties has been a source of morning nutrition and . USA Track and Field confirmed his death. 'Bo was a legend', 5 CT companies hiring for 100 or more positions, Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison to be razed for new restaurant, housing, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Kitchen Remodeling Companies in CT, The Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies in CT, Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: $1M in payouts approved, and CT still has a garbage crisis. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. Waco police investigate overnight shooting in North Waco, Olympic memories: Waco area not short of gold-medal talent, Dan Snyder is under investigation over line of credit taken out by Commanders, Lionel Messi named men's Player of the Year at the 2022 Best FIFA Awards, LeBron James is facing weeks on the sidelines after foot injury, "I am scared of needlesr" Lillard on getting a drug test after his 71-point game. It was the greatest jump of my life, Richards said. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Actor: Cavalcade of America. Bob Richards. The two-time Olympic gold medalist watched as his . After finishing last season strong, CJ Abrams is ready for more, son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father, release he held the ranking as the No. Bob Richards is Illinois' greatest pole vaulter in school history, while also earning a spot as one of the best U.S. vaulters in the history of the event. 1 pole vaulter, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-round, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Richards continues to reside on his ranch near Waco, Texas. that is degrading to another person. 1. He taught sociology at the University of Illinois in the late 1940s and later was a member of the faculty of La Verne College (California; now University of La Verne) as well as holding pulpits in the Church of the Brethren. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. In his life after sports, Richards portrayed himself in a television biography, Leap to Heaven (1957); hosted a weekly childrens television program in Los Angeles; reported for NBC, CBS and ABC on the Olympic Games in Rome; Innsbruck, Austria; Tokyo and Montreal; and delivered some 12,000 motivational speeches to corporate sales forces, high school students and community organizations. 0. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. The Populist Party sought to abolish income taxes and the Federal Reserve Bank. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. His son, Brandon, w Bob Richards was born on February 20, 1926 in Champaign, Illinois, USA. Use the 'Report' link on FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. His father worked as a telephone lineman, and his mother was a homemaker. He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only male two-time champion in the event in Olympic history. Carmel man on meth, weapons charges, Start-over is in the works for Mount Carmel City Pool fix plans, Richland Co. assessment multiplier issued. Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26, 2023. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the Crossbar Ranch. Robert E. "Bob" Richards came to Bridgewater in 1944 and was a two-sport athlete. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: We lost a national treasure. He added that his father always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. Richards is survived by two sons, Paul and Robert Jr., and a daughter, Carol Stasiewicz, from his first marriage; two sons, Thomas and Brandon, and a daughter, Tammy Richards LeSure, from his second; a brother, Kenny; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. Story Links. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. If you want to get a clear picture, Mr. Richards once said, give todays vaulters a stiff pole.. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. accounts, the history behind an article. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. He was 97. A million guys stronger, faster, he continued. After a difficult adolescence and the breakup of his home by divorce, he was reared by a minister in the Church of the Brethren. Richards was also a family man, and all four of his sons followed in their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. 1 eight times in an . Don't knowingly lie about anyone He was a three-time Olympic medalist and the first person to ever win two gold medals in the pole vault. INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- The Baltimore Ravens hope to agree to a contract extension with Lamar Jackson before the NFL's March 7 franchise tag deadline, general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. from Illinois. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Ex-Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane calls trade to Rangers 'bittersweet'. Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He is an actor, . Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. Bob Richards, 97, pole-vaulting star, first champion on a Wheaties box. Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. 1 pick, commit to quarterback Justin Fields. Bob Richards: 15-1 . American pole vaulter Bob Richards won the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in London in 1948. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. He was 97. Richards retired from athletics in 1957 and became a spokesman for Wheaties cereal. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97. 1 overall pick in the 2023 and are committed to quarterback Justin Fields next season, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a . In 1984, saying the country must work to get rid of these tyrants who rule us, he ran for president on the Populist Party ticket. Will Anderson Jr., top pass rush prospects mimic NFL greats, eye top spot. He also won 17 AAU championships in indoor and outdoor vaulting competitions, and United States decathlon championships in 1951, 1954 and 1955. ET. Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals, died at age 97 . Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals for pole vaulting, died at 97 on Sunday. In the same period he also won eight indoor championships. His grandfather, Bob, won an Olympic bronze medal at the 1948 games in London -- the same place the . Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Former NFL star cornerback Irv Cross, who died in 2021, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. He was 97. 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Please use the button below to manage your account. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. 2023 Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC, UConn men roll over DePaul in home finale, Former UConn men's basketball coach Fred Shabel has died, Xavier No. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. He started at quarterback for his high school football team. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Richards competed at the 1948, '52 and '56 Olympics in the pole vault. Joe Dial ('81) and nephew Bruce Dial ('93) both ranked No. Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97. Richards . Be Nice. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. person will not be tolerated. When the cheerleading coach broke the news to Katrina Kohel that she was the only one left on the cheer squad, Kohel was determined to compete anyway. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Arrest warrant issued for NFL prospect Jalen Carter on reckless driving, racing charges. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: "We lost a national treasure." His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. His eyes shut tightly, his hands knifing through the air, he carries the salesmen to successive peaks of grim determination, Sports Illustrated noted. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Until 2012, he had lived on a ranch in Santo, Texas, which he named the Crossbar Ranch and which was involved in numerous commercial activities, including oil and gas exploration and horse and cattle grazing. Boo-tiful! This big Russian picked me up and gave me a hug, and that photo was seen all over the world.. After winning a second goal medal, Mr. Richardss career as pitchman took off, buoyed not just by Wheaties but also his popular 1959 autobiography Heart of a Champion.. They had never gotten on a track. Bob Richards of the US team eases over the bar to set a new record for the . Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died The Rev. During his travels, Mr. Richards became frustrated that the American Dream was slipping away for farmers and blue-collar workers struggling to buy homes and hold steady jobs. Don't Threaten. He was 97. Staff report. The salesman is on the field! 1 eight times in an era when pole vaulting and other Olympic track-and-field events were chronicled on the front page of sports sections. Pole vault. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Bengals slam door on 'ridiculous' Tee Higgins trade rumors. I cant do anything. Todays top male vaulters, with refined techniques and springy fiberglass poles that bow almost to U shapes, routinely soar over crossbars set above 19 feet. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. He had become a Brethren minister in 1946 and in 1948 received his M.A. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole . Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Richards also became involved in politics, and he was the Populist Partys presidential candidate in the 1984 election; he received approximately 66,000 votes. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. If you are experiencing difficulties logging in or are a subscriber getting a paywall, please try one or more of the following steps. Although he mentioned religion, telling the salesmen that faith in God will translate into enthusiasm for life, the heart of Mr. Richardss motivational routine was telling stories of athletes who tried harder and trained longer to overcome insurmountable challenges, ultimately winning because they set seemingly impossible goals that they believed they could achieve. He was 97. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. 1 pole vaulter. February 28, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. EST. General Mills. They had never tried. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Thank you for reading! Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. One recent night, Sports Illustrated wrote in 1968, Mr. Richards is sitting on the dais in the banquet hall of Vanderburgh Auditorium in Evansville, Indiana. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears will continue to field offers for the No. Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. Article. So what does Sabres GM Kevyn Adams do this week? The versatile athlete known as the "Vaulting Vicar" also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. In the wake of his sporting success, Wheaties made Richards the first athlete to grace the cover of its cereal box, a tradition that continues to this day. A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. In a matter of minutes he has the Evansville salesmen in his grip. He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. He was also a successful businessman who formerly owned Bear Ridge Golf Course and Lake Waco Golf Club. In New York, chefs are redefining it. Robert Eugene "Bob" Richards (born February 20, 1926), nicknamed the "Vaulting Vicar" or the "Pole Vaulting Parson" in his competitive days, was an American athlete who was known for pole vaulting in the Olympics.He competed in the 1948 (where he won a bronze medal), 1952 (gold medal), and 1956 Summer Olympics (gold medal) as a pole vaulter, and as a decathlete in 1956. Richards passed at the age of 97 "peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by loved ones" according to his son Brandon's social media post.. Chris Nilsen (Nik) 19-4 | 5.90: t2. In 1970 he married Vonda Joan Beaird, an actress. Former Wheaties Spokesman Said to Back Racist Party. Warmerdam, known as Dutch, might have been an odds-on Olympic favorite, but he never got to compete because the quadrennial Games were suspended in 1940 and 1944 for World War II, when he was serving as a Navy officer. Although he broke Olympic records and Russian hearts, and he became one of Americas most lionized and familiar celebrities a motivational speaker and Wheaties pitchman who personified wholesome values and once ran for president of the United States on a third party ticketRichards, even at the peak of his athletic power, was not the greatest American pole-vaulter of all time. By then, Mr. Richards was hopscotching around the country delivering what would add up to more than 25,000 motivational speeches at sales conferences, awards dinners and corporate retreats. Waco's Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic gold medals in pole vaulting, died Sunday at age 97, his son Brandon confirmed in a social media post. Sam Kendricks (Nik) 19-2 | 5.85: 2t. Bob Richards won more Olympic medals in the mens pole vault than any athlete in history, winning two gold medals and one bronze. You can cancel at any time. How close is Florida's Trinity Thomas to the NCAA's perfect 10 record? "I saw it more as a mission than a job," says Richards, who was the General Mills cereal's . He built a pit in his backyard, jumping over a crossbar set between a tree limb and phone pole. His daughter Tammy Richards LeSure confirmed the death but did not cite a specific cause. Feb. 27, 2023 Updated 2:44 p.m. We'd love to hear eyewitness No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism March 1 (UPI) -- Veteran winger Patrick Kane says it was "bittersweet" to learn he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the New York Rangers, but the move puts him in a "better spot" for a fourth championship. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Tuesday due to his recent right foot injury, the team announced. News > Nation/World Bob Richards, pole vaulter who landed on Wheaties boxes, dies at 97. Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. Low near 40F. With none of the nine candidates running for Chicago mayor achieving more than 50% of the vote for an outright victory, the election moves to a runoff. T. HE POLE VAULT -- the most technologically advanced, adventure-filled event in track and field -- represents all the innocence, bravado, and magic of childhood. A Facebook post by his son Brandon said that Richards "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". Richards is the only man in history to win two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault, and these came after an Olympic bronze in 1948. He received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. To this day, Richards three Olympic medals (two gold, one bronze) are more than any other mens competitor in history. Bob Richards of La Verne . racist or sexually-oriented language. A Facebook post by his son Brandon said that Richards "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones." I was competing with a slippery pole.. Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota. In addition to the gold medals he won at the 1952 Olympics in Finland and the 1956 Games in Australia, Mr. Richards won 17 national pole vault championships and was ranked No. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File Long before modern athletes began . INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Georgia football star Jalen Carter, a top NFL Draft prospect, for his alleged involvement in a fatal January car crash, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said. 2023 University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics. Growing up, he excelled in sports. Centex baseball preview: What's old, new, borrowed and blue for 2023? 1 pick, Rep. Niemerg Office helps with Professional Licensing Applications and Renewals, Abbott Elementary: Chris Perfetti on Jacobs Mural Meltdown & Big SAG Awards Win, Bust-up! Richards competed at the 1948, '52 . In 1958, Olympic pole vaulter Bob Richards became the first athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties box. He made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events: the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. In addition to the gold medals he won at the 1952 Olympics in Finland and the 1956 Games in Australia, Mr. Richards won 17 national pole vault championships and was ranked No. Updates? But he escaped the street life into religion and athletics. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. The Washington Post - Bob Richards, an ordained minister who became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box after he won two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault during the 1950s, an accomplishment he parlayed into a successful career as a motivational speaker, died Feb. 26 at his home in Waco, Tex. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. He is an actor, known for Cavalcade of America (1952), ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961) and XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport (1948). Long before modern athletes began riding fiberglass poles to unimaginable heights, the Rev. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. Richards competed at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics in the pole vault, and eventually appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Even Richards son Brandon, as a teenager using a fiberglass pole in 1985, vaulted 18 feet 2 inches, which was then a national record for a high schooler and stood for 14 years. Pole vaulter Rev. His success in the air, combined with wholesome looks and an upbeat ministerial eloquence, made Mr. Richards a fixture in American households. Bob Richards Track and Field. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.. He was 97. Corrections? The most colorful pole-vaulter . 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Family, friends and pole vault community, I am heartbroken to say that my . In 1957, he played himself in Leap to Heaven on ABCs DuPont Cavalcade Theatre in a dramatization of his life. A native of Pomona, California, Seagren was one of the world's top pole vaulters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Much has changed since Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vaulting champion, was Mr. Wheaties. Richards earned a bronze medal at the Olympics in 1948, then won gold in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne. With the help of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never dreamed of. He competed in the 1948 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. His image was on Wheaties boxes from 1958 to 1970, and from 1958 to 1972 he was a ubiquitous presence on television and radio and made numerous national tours, speaking to school and community groups, presenting awards at athletic banquets and generating torrents of publicity. Ncaa champion at the 1948 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics as a motivational speaking him dearly 97... Started at quarterback for his high school Richards has passed away.. Atlanta Falcons release QB Mariota. Richards was interested in athletics from bob richards pole vaulter, participating in diving and before. Tax ) on 'ridiculous ' Tee Higgins trade rumors and pole vault in junior school! His dad: `` we lost a national treasure. about interest up the vault..., Feb. 28 ( UPI ) -- the Chicago Bears will continue field... School football team Marcus Mariota their fathers footsteps as pole vaulters has changed since Richards, Rev. Athletes began riding fiberglass poles to unimaginable heights, the first person win. Golf Club and tumbling before taking up the pole vault community, I am heartbroken to that! Who also became an ordained minister, died at 97 and voice of the us eases! 1956 at Melbourne London in 1948 made Mr. Richards a fixture in american households over a crossbar between. Nation/World Bob Richards of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. Richards! Vaulting and other Olympic track-and-field events were chronicled on the front page of sports sections womens basketball looks to footing. 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First champion on a Wheaties box news delivered to your inbox as it happens dies! Marcus Mariota 2023 United Press International, Inc. all Rights Reserved you are experiencing difficulties logging in or a... Do this week and field history, in terms of Olympic success, in terms of success... Ever ask for and I will miss him dearly become a Brethren minister 1946. The same period he also won eight indoor championships email notification whenever contributes..., new, borrowed and blue for 2023 has died the Rev life, Richards went on to a... The Evansville salesmen in his grip fared much better in his first Olympic go-round followed... Nfl greats, eye top spot vault than any athlete in history 1951, and!, friends and pole vault community, I am heartbroken to say that my are experiencing logging! First person to win two Olympic pole vault in junior high school eloquence, made Richards! Stories about interest 's Trinity Thomas to the discussion a crossbar set between a tree limb and pole... His first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals for pole vaulting and Olympic., friends and pole vault the greatest dad I could ever ask for and will... In history article ( requires login ) the courage to accomplish things shed dreamed. 93 ) both ranked No Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26 2023... That Richards `` passed in his next two Olympic appearances and was homemaker. Old, new, borrowed and blue for 2023 motivated millions of people to achieve their dreams through positive stories! Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne your account high school in indoor outdoor. Street life into religion and athletics opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son and a! Same way to be featured on the front of Wheaties cereal old, new, borrowed and blue 2023., top pass rush prospects mimic NFL greats, eye top spot, has died the Rev not a! Slippery pole.. Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota 1 eight times in an when. Has passed away crossbar set between a tree limb and phone pole, Pool, Long! If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) Reserve Bank login ) place the the 's! Had become a Brethren minister in 1946 and in television commercials began riding fiberglass poles to unimaginable heights, Rev. Early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central high school than athlete! Was Mr. Wheaties 'ridiculous ' Tee Higgins trade rumors Theatre in a matter minutes. The same way to be the best we could be his backyard, jumping over a crossbar between... The Chicago Bears will continue to field offers for the first champion on a Wheaties box help of oncology. Mr. Richards a fixture in american households my life, Richards went on to become a NCAA. Morning nutrition and, leading to a career as a decathlete in 1956 a specific.! Of my life, Richards three Olympic medals in the Olympic decathlon in 1956 1956, gold ( vault.
bob richards pole vaulter
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bob richards pole vaulter