Thread by @latimes

Tony Hawk’s first memory of Jeff Grosso is from when they were about 11. It was at an amateur skateboarding event and @tonyhawk was intimidated.

Each would go on to be professional skaters and their careers tell important parts of skateboarding history.
latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Friends and competitors throughout the 80s, Hawk and Grosso travelled the world together.
“To be in such a foreign place with someone of his nature, of his personality, made it so much more fun,” @tonyhawk said.
latimes.com/sports/story/2…

After street skating overtook vert in popularity, Hawk and Grosso saw their careers fizzle and they fell out of touch. Grosso battled drug addiction and depression. Hawk struggled to keep his competitive career alive.

latimes.com/sports/story/2…

But their fortunes changed again. Skating had another popularity spike, thanks in part to @tonyhawk 's 900-degree spin at the 1999 X-Games.
Then in 2005 Grosso got his life back together, announcing he’d achieved sobriety and reemerging as an influential figure in the sport.

And after Grosso’s unexpected death a year ago, Hawk gave some of the most effusive praise for his friend’s importance to the sport.

Here's @tonyhawk on Jeff Grosso: latimes.com/sports/story/2…

Read @Jack_A_Harris 's profile on the late Southern California skating icon Jeff Grosso: latimes.com/sports/story/2…