Tony Hawk Skateboards At White House

WASHINGTON — Hey, kids, don't try this at home. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk on Friday took a brief ride at the White House as part of a Father's Day celebration.

Hawk, 41, skated in the grand foyer and the nearby Old Executive Office Building, with the permission of White House officials.

The skateboarding icon, also known for his popular brand of skateboarding video games, posted photos to his Web site and Twitter page.

One photo shows Hawk on his skateboard with his hands in the air in what appears to be a hallway.

"...and here is my exit," he wrote in a message on Twitter, which linked to a picture of him skating. "Supposed to return at noon for the First Fathers event if they let me back in."

Hawk posted other insights from his Washington visit on his Twitter page, telling fans about eating Frosted Flakes cereal inside the gates of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. In another tweet, he says "back at White House, Tweeting live from the Diplomatic Room. Unbelievable."

Hawk joined other dads, athletes and celebrities at a Father's Day forum hosted by President Barack Obama. Celebrity chef Bobby Flay helped man the barbecue grills for a White House picnic for the attendees, which included NBA players Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Etan Thomas of the Washington Wizards.

"The Prez addressing all of us fathers before we split up to visit DC charities," Hawk tweeted. "D Wade & Etan T make me feel short."

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On the Web:

http://www.tonyhawk.com/

http://twitter.com/tonyhawk

Comments

[elizlucinda]

Oh for pete's sake..the world did not stand still when he skateboarded in the White House. I'm 60 years old and I think it's kind of fun.

[Diogenis]

wheel chairs are permitted.

[nosebird]

OK - perspective people. I have to ask - does the First Family LIVE in the White House, or is it a museum? If they actually LIVE there, then regular, goofy things are going to happen there. Not every room in the place is sacrosanct. It was a fathers day event - they were having fun. Something we need in this country right now.

I'm sure the kids of ALL presidents did crazy things when they lived there, and if they had their friends over, THEY did crazy things. They don't spend all their time saying "oh- it's the white house, I better not..."

Did he damage anything? Heck, he probably asked permission - "OMG, what an amazing hallway - can i PLEASE skate? PLEASE??????"

You can have enjoyment and respect at the same time. People need to chill-the-f-out.

[DeeDeeDaGumby]

well said..

[Uosdwis]

I assume they had high-level coordination to clear that, because I believe the Secret Service is trained to react to fast-moving objects, and not in a good way.

[splashca]

It's just an issue of lack of respect for all that sacrificed. You wouldn't do it in your grandmothers house would you? I love it when people make light of the situation but they know down deep it's wrong just so no one will criticize the President. I didn't vote for him but I also think it's disrespectful when people call him "Obama". He's President Obama and that's what I teach my children.

[limber]

I totally would skate in my grandmother's house! We also built pillow forts, slid down carpeted stairs in pillowcases, and enacted plays using her china figurines. And when she had one of those chairs that zips up the banister, we wouldn't get OFF that thing.

And strangely, she never pointed out that she had lived through the Blitz and raised my father through rationing so we should show respect. Instead, she gave us biscuits. My grandmother? Awesome.

Pick your battles.

[splashca]

It starts with teaching the kids what the White House is for. That is the battle. What's next after this? I'm not picking at the President, Hawk should show the respect. Millions of kids follow him. By the way, you were a kid when you did that and your Grandma wouldn't let you do it in the White House. Would she?

[Victoria-nola]

I thought, surely this is an isolated comment. But no, there's a trend of Kerthunklicans who seriously want to claim skateboarding in the White House isn't one of the coolest things to happen there, ever. good luck with that

[MyMindSpray]

Not to say the White House isn't worth respect (it obviously is), but it was built by slaves. Not exactly established under the greatest of circumstances.

[exile]

It's just an issue of lack of respect for all that sacrificed.

sacrificed... what ???

oh you're worried about the staff who put that fab shine on the floor ??

i'm not that concerned they prob make more than most of us and have free health care and pension... just sayin' stop making a big feigned outrage about everything.

it's so tiring in the long run.

[BrunoDJ]

Exactly how is it "disrespectful." Is there inherent disrespect when you put wheels on a board and stand on it? I don't get it.

[deepfreezevideo]

I wish Hal Jepsen was alive to see this.

[GoDogGo]

Today, seeing this, I can't help but raise my hands in triumph and shout "we finally won!"

If you think this is outrageous, someday we'll have a president who skateboards himself. The Republicans who frown upon "non-traditional" sports will have to eat it one day:

The times are a-changing.

[Applecheeks]

I am assuming by his comment that Tony Hawk understood that his actions might not be appreciated by some. But he did it anyway. Just like a rebellious 40 year old teenager. And with only weeks until my 40th birthday, I stand and applaud. $uck it critics! A skater must skate!

[splashca]

Why not do it at Arlington next?

[VotingPresent]

Well, this kind of behavior does appeal to Obama voters.

[Applecheeks]

Nice shoes, where'd you get them?

[Altruth]

You must be referring to the forced SLAVE labor (to build the White House) appealing to the GOP!

[GoDogGo]

...And your comment is why Republicans may never again enjoy the under-40 vote.

[deadre]

you got it right there! and I'm waay over 40 and think this is hilarious and wonderfully contemporary. A vote for inclusion, showing the world the way it is, not how it used to be.

[We-Are-The-Ones]

Being flexible and welcoming appeals to the Obama voters. it appeals to all Americans.

[smchp]

If you don't like that's just the cherry on top right there.

[chronic]

Well it sure beats having a male escort (g @ y) in and out of the WH dozens and dozens of times!

[llfutrell]

we'll never know since the logs are sealed:)

[John Paul]

must be nice to hang out at the white house.
i had no idea tony hawk was that old. 41?

[RuthlessDictator]

Awesome!

I wonder if I can ride my bicycle in the White House now?

[smchp]

With that and Obama's jokes he just made at the Correspondents dinner I'm sure they will have lot's of hard hitting feined outrage about things that are vitally important to all Americans (ie. everything except the issues that actually are)

[dzent1]

Cue Republican cry-babies in 5...4...3...2...1...

[runnerin1]

They wish to be 'cool' enough to make Tony want to be in their company.

[smchp]

With that and Obama's jokes he just made at the Correspondents dinner I'm sure they will have lot's of hard hitting feined outrage about things that are vitally important to all Americans (ie. everything except the issues that actually are)

[lisalovesamelie]

Now, Once more, With Feeling!

[limber]

Ha! Okay, I understand that some people are probably going to get a little tetchy about skateboarding in the White House, but this is sort of awesome.

We're used to seeing people in very official, formal events at the White House, but they're always in suits and frequently looking out of place. I'm liking the idea of seeing American people actually being themselves in the White House. I know the Obamas like to refer to it as "the people's house" all the time, but man, they really walk the walk.

...or skate the skate. Whatever, you know what I mean.