Don't knowingly lie about anyone Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. I say this and dont say this to be humble, Mr. Richards said in a recorded speech sold as Theres Genius in the Average Man, but I reckon that there were over a million guys in America who could have beaten me in both Olympic Games. 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 sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. Dozens killed after ship carrying migrants wrecks off Italy coast. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. He also appeared on a box of Wheaties cereal. In 1951, he became the second pole vaulter to clear 15 feet. Richards was interested in athletics from boyhood, participating in diving and tumbling before taking up the pole vault in junior high school. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. March 1, 2023 We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Brandon Richards said that his father gave over 25,000 motivational speeches to companies and organizations. Pole vaulter Rev. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Green Bay Packers want to know Aaron Rodgers' 2023 playing plans within the next three weeks, but have not set a date to meet with the quarterback, general manager Brian Gutekunst said Tuesday in Indianapolis. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m. 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. A two-time Olympic champion, Richards was going 15 feet when fiberglass poles were . Your capacity is only discovered, ladies and gentlemen, in challenge. 1 vaulter for eight consecutive years. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. But they didnt believe they could win the Olympics. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. [1] He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only . He transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 1947, the same year he tied for first in pole vaulting at the NCAA championships. Caterpillar and the United Auto Workers Union have reached a tentative agreement on a contract, possibly averting a strike. Bob Richards, a two-time . that is degrading to another person. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. It was the greatest jump of my life, Richards said. Olympic-winning pole vaulter, pastor Bob Richards dies at 97. 1967 Winnipeg. [1952] Was the Gold Medalist in Pole Vault at the Pan American Games in Mexico City. Feb. 20, 1926 - Feb. 26, 2023. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. ET. Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. He received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Survivors include three children from his first marriage, Carol Stasiewicz of Reno, Nev., Robert Richards Jr. of Garden Grove, Calif., and Paul Richards of Waco, Tex. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Bob Richards 1951 (cropped).jpg 345 503; 81 KB. Upload media . Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, accounts, the history behind an article. Bob Richards. Hospital food is a punchline. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. American Bob Richards waves his hands to the crowd after winning the pole vault final at the Olympic Stadium at the Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. 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. That marriage ended in divorce. Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 - February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. He was a three-time Olympic medalist and the first person to ever win two gold medals in the pole vault. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. Its the climax of all your dreams. Sportswriters called him the Vaulting Vicar because he was an ordained minister. INDIANAPOLIS (AP)Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. [1955] His father was a telephone lineman. 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. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. He earned a bachelors degree in 1947 and a masters in 1948. "The theme for the next few days is clear: Hey Kevyn, the lonely eyes of Sabres fans are turned to you,"Mike Harrington writes. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Some clouds. With the help of gynecologic oncology specialists at Providence, Amy beat cancerand found the courage to accomplish things shed never dreamed of. Richards was born and raised in Illinois, but moved to the Waco area after his athletic career ended. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson appear headed for the April 4 election. She died in 2019. He is the only two-time male Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault, and also won gold medals at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games, while earning silver in the decathlon at the 55 Pan American Games. He was also a football quarterback in high school. "He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly.". His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father "passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.". Be Proactive. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. He competed in the 1948 1952 and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. He is Bart Starr on third down., Mr. Richards told them, I want to set you on fire; I want to get you to go, to act. And: Youve got to go through that line, youve got to figure out ways to beat the opposition. Bob Richards of La Verne . Staff report. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Former NFL star cornerback Irv Cross, who died in 2021, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Article. person will not be tolerated. 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. Richards was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 and the U.S. National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1975. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. Richards continues to reside on his ranch near Waco, Texas. Hall Of Fame Member. He became an ordained minister and preached at churches and gatherings all over the world, earning the monikers the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor. Richards became a popular and prolific public speaker who gave more than 25,000 speeches to businesses and organizations worldwide, Brandon said. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. Time skulks along slowly between the arrival of each Olympics, an. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. 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. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. The third of five children, Robert Eugene Richards was born in Champaign, Ill., on Feb. 20, 1926. 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. The next year, he competed with the U.S. Olympic team in London, winning a bronze medal. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. 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! 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. Capitalizing on his fame, Richards became director of the Wheaties Sports Federation, founded in 1958 after President Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a national physical fitness campaign. He also won 17 AAU championships in indoor and outdoor vaulting competitions, and United States decathlon championships in 1951, 1954 and 1955. He was the second person ever to pole vault over 15 feet (4.6 metres), a feat he accomplished in 1947. 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. He played basketball. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. 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. Richards served as a spokesman for General Mills from 1956 to 70. 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 . Some clouds. 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. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Sabres place Alex Tuch on injured reserve; top-line winger's status is uncertain, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Paula's Donuts to move Clarence store that faced backlash for tax breaks to Amherst. He was 97. Growing up, he excelled in sports. He dove. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Atlanta Falcons released veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota, the team announced Tuesday. 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. Sportswriters called him "the Vaulting Vicar" because he was an ordained minister. He was 97. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Be Truthful. Much has changed since Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vaulting champion, was Mr. Wheaties. Please use the button below to manage your account. He was 97. The salesman is on the field! Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. Richards retired from athletics in 1957 and became a spokesman for Wheaties cereal. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. Atlanta Falcons release QB Marcus Mariota. Richards' exploits in track and field earned him three Olympic medals, a record, and 20 national titles. 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