There was a story in the Milwaukee Sentinel a couple years ago about a cyclist who was killed by a car, after speeding down a steep hill. It was clearly the rider's fault but his cycling buddies insisted that their friend would never speed down a hill and disobey traffic signs, etc. Almost sounds like your quote.
There was argument as to what he meant — and whether it would be considered a dying declaration and/or admission against interest exception(s) to hearsay. IIRC it was ordered excluded from evidence.
Just like any activity, there are nice guys and douchebags.