Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Man trying to dribble soccer ball to World Cup in Brazil dies after being hit by truck in Oregon
nydailynews ^ | Tuesday, May 14, 2013, 9:21 PM | By Sasha Goldstein

Posted on 05/15/2013 7:28:17 AM PDT by dennisw

Richard Swanson, 42, planned to walk from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for next year’s tournament.

His dreams of dribbling to the World Cup were cut short.

Richard Swanson, 42, planned to walk, soccer ball at his feet, from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil, to make it in time for next year’s international soccer tournament. But Swanson was mowed down by a pickup truck Tuesday morning south of Lincoln City, Ore., only two weeks and a few hundred miles into his journey.

This map from the “Breakaway Brazil” Facebook page shows the journey Swanson attempted. Upon his death, he was only two weeks and a few hundred miles in.

“It is with a heavy heart to notify you that Richard Swanson passed on this morning,” someone posted on his “Breakaway Brazil” Facebook page used to document the trek. “His team, family, friends, and loved ones will miss him and love him dearly. You made it to Brazil in our hearts, Richard. Team Richard.”

Described as an “avid runner, soccer player, and all-around lover of the Pacific Northwest,” Swanson planned to visit 11 countries during his one-year-plus trip south. Along the way, Swanson planned to dribble an “indestructible” soccer ball to promote the One World Futbol Project, a charity that donates such durable balls to people in disadvantaged communities.

The ball was found among his belongings in the crash wreckage on U.S. Highway 101.

(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...


TOPICS: Arts/Photography; Chit/Chat; Hobbies; Sports
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 last
To: bgill
Never have understood people who do these stunts. But, but it’s for a cause!!!

I don't quiet get how he could afford to take a year off work to try walking 6,000 miles in a year, unless he was independently wealthy.

If I were independently wealthy, I'd find something better and safer to do with my time.

41 posted on 05/15/2013 2:37:34 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (_.. ._. .. _. _._ __ ___ ._. . ___ ..._ ._ ._.. _ .. _. .)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Graybeard58
Swanson was a private investigator for years, and then a graphic designer. A father of two grown sons, he got laid off from his job last year and was looking for an adventure.

Maybe the big adventure was seeing how far he could make his money go.

42 posted on 05/15/2013 2:45:14 PM PDT by x
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: apillar

Never dribble on 101 in Oregon...


43 posted on 05/15/2013 2:47:02 PM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: palmer

walking all that way in jap flaps???...I don’t think so, Tim!


44 posted on 05/15/2013 2:49:25 PM PDT by AngelesCrestHighway
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-44 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson