It's been over 12 years since Brian Deegan joined the etnies team in 1997. He could be called many things, but the first that comes to mind is icon. However, Brian is also an entrepreneur, businessman, father, husband, racer and innovator.
Deegan started out racing motorcycles as a young kid in Nebraska and had a dream to race pro. In 1997, in true Deegan fashion, Brian had one of the most memorable Supercross finishes that the sport had ever seen–and at the LA Coliseum, no less. As he was just about to win his first Supercross, aboard his Moto XXX Suzuki, he threw the bike away up the face of the finish line jump. The reason? Brian didn't like the rules and schedules of the race scene and wanted to cut his own path in the moto world.
Rather than give in to the norm, Deegan and a couple friends started going out in the hills to jump and one up the other guys that were riding. Dana Nicholson and John Freemen were just getting into shooting moto videos, and with Deegan and the boys providing the talent, FMX was born. The Crusty Demons video series gave the boys a stage to display their talent and core love of riding dirt bikes. Deegan then took the sport to a whole new level when he started the Metal Mulisha to stand apart from the racers and followers.
After many severe crashes and too many borken bones to count, and after almost dying on three separate occasions, winning 10 X Games medals and dozens of other awards over the past 11 years, Brian is finding a new passion in truck racing. Wasting no time, Brian is already winning races and making a name in the truck racing circuits. Racing in the Rally event at X Games 2009 for the first time, Brian raced a broken car and still barely missed the podium by one position, finishing 4th.
Deegan has much to look forward to in the future with any type of racing he does. Brian is a very proud father who enjoys time with his wife Marissa, daughter Hailie and son Haide - AKA Danger Boy. Brian Deegan has also been a mentor to many other riders for many years now and helped launch the careers of several top FMX riders.
