The first job I had was bagging groceries at the local grocery store. I was already riding flatland and with my first paycheck, I needed the essentials. So I went over to Kmart and got a portable CD player, a pack of AA batteries, and a pair of blue Dickies work pants. Nate Hanson was one of my favorite riders at the time and he was always rocking Dickies. It was the first time in my life I could buy my own clothes so I wanted to look just like him. I found out very quickly that they were the toughest pants around. I’ve been wearing Dickies for like 25+ years so when I did some shows earlier this year for them I was stoked on it. Thanks to @dickies@futo76
Fifty tricks on his fiftieth birthday. I was 100% joking when I suggested it this morning but he went for it and got it done. Happy birthday @catfishvsthug@nohatetour #nohatetour @dkbicycles@bape_us
Jody and I were always exhaustively honest with each other. If I did something Jody objected to he would respond with little hesitation and no filter, and I treated him the same. This never led to any tension between us it only helped us move forward. I feel like I owe it to my brother to be honest about his death because he would want to help anyone who might be struggling.
Jody suffered from depression, anxiety, as well as self-harm OCD and has been battling it for a very long time. For many months he has been confiding with his family, coworkers, therapists, doctors, and lifelong friends about the troubles he has faced just trying to navigate a normal day. Jody’s friend network was vast and diverse. This network extended from three restaurants to the small town of Hartwell, Georgia to a community of BMX riders and far beyond. I’ve talked with a lot of these people over that last week that were close to Jody and they all confirmed that he was making every effort he could to get better. He was spending lots of time with people because he was scared to be alone. Everyone was trying to help him in anyway they could. This energy was available to him because all of us know that if the situation were reversed he would give you anything you needed. Despite all these amazing people and therapy it was not enough. He took his own life on August 15th.
Jody left behind a crushed community of people who tried to help him. We all have been searching for answers and feeling the weight of the questions that won’t be answered. The love everyone had for him was so deep and will be there forever.
You are loved more than you could ever understand. Don’t give up hope even on the darkest of days.
