Tony Hawk’s Twitter account is a goldmine of awkward interactions

20 years ago today, the greatest vert skateboarder in history landed the first-ever 900 at the 1999 X-Games. It might have taken him 11 tries, but Tony Hawk made skateboarding history. 

20 years ago today, @tonyhawk landed the world’s first 900 on a skateboard!

It took him 11 tries at the 1999 X Games. The competition was over, but TV producers told Hawk to keep trying. pic.twitter.com/HqEXYdFsq8

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 27, 2019

The legendary skateboarder is probably the most famous in his field to date. Hawk revolutionized the sport with his skateboarding video games, and he might be the only skateboarder any causal sports fan who doesn’t follow the sport can name. 

Or, at least he used to be. 

The now 51-year-old still skates and is doing some amazing things. As an ambassador for the sport, Hawk started the Tony Hawk Foundation that supports and empowers youth skaters by creating public skate parks in low-income areas. Tony Hawk is still very much around, and his name still rings a bell – but his Twitter account is full of awkward interactions he seemingly experiences every day.

Pulling up to drive-through window, girl starts to read back my order and stops herself: “you’re Tony Hawk?”
me: yes
her: “can I tell everyone?”
me: I suppose
her: “yo, we got Tony Hawk at the window!”
voice from kitchen: “Who?”

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 21, 2019

TSA agent (checking my ID): "Hawk, like that skateboarder Tony Hawk!"
Me: exactly
Her: "Cool, I wonder what he's up to these days"
Me: this

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) March 21, 2017

At Disneyland with kids, waiting in line for churros. Girl in front of me: “you look like Tony Hawks”
me: really?
her: “yes”
me: Is that good?
her, nonplussed: “I guess so”

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) June 15, 2019

At rental car agency, can’t find my name on the monitor to find my car, go inside & wait in line. Finally get to the front, agent sees me & says “you really are Tony Hawk”
Me: um, yes. I was looking for my name outside on the list
Him: “I deleted it because I thought it was fake”

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 14, 2019

Woman on plane retrieving her luggage in the overhead:
"Who's skateboard is this? It's blocking my bag"
me: that's mine, you can pass it here
her: "It's yours? You ride it?
me: yes
her: "Are you any good at it?"
me: sometimes
her: cackles maniacally, exits plane

— Tony Hawk (@tonyhawk) April 16, 2018

Poor guy. Maybe someone should just get him a shirt that says “Yes, I’m Tony Hawk.”