by Chase Stallo
The Moment: Southwick
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 | 10:15 AM
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PrintGECIO Honda’s Wil Hahn was laying nearly motionless, the weight of an almost 250 pound machine bearing down on him, nearly singeing his upper body. Suddenly, in a sport where individualism is personified, camaraderie among two athletes was formed.
“I don’t know what person wouldn’t do it—especially in that situation,” stated a humble Mike McDade. “I didn’t even think anything of it. It’s just one of those things you do.”
When McDade, the newest member of the Eleven10 Mods Honda team, did, as he said, “what anybody would do,” he came to the rescue of Hahn. Seizing the smoldering hot bike off Hahn, even holding it up for him as Hahn regrouped (after the two were involved in a second turn pileup)—he never imagined the positive outcry from fans across the nation.
“When I got done with the race, I was looking through my phone and I had something like 80 notifications, 18 messages and 40 friend requests on Facebook. I was in shock,” said McDade.
In the modern age of technology, where news travels faster than the blink of eye, McDade became an overnight star.
“I think I got like 200 or 300 new followers on Twitter. It has just kind of taken off,” said McDade.
While the story has spread like wildfire, McDade is not looking for exposure. The Pennsylvanian is very modest nowadays, something he accredits to the birth of his son. In fact, the good deed, itself, is a byproduct of McDade's new role as a dad.
"If this happened two years ago, I probably would have run him over!" joked McDade.
So with McDade focused on much more than his own goals nowadays, he's glad his new team was able to share the spotlight.
“I wasn’t really looking for anything out of it," said McDade, who came back to finish 25th in the moto (Hahn took 21st). "But I’m glad the team was able to get some exposure.”
Although McDade is not seeking the spotlight, it may have already found him. Something his over 300 and counting, new Twitter followers can attest to.
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Now that's a true pro! It's moments like this that I'm a proud mx follower and am happy that my own son got to see a REAL pro not only helping out another rider, but a human helping out another without expecting anything in return!
Mark my words Mr. McDade-
"Do good unto others and good will be done unto you!"
Well done.
Good luck next weekend.
P.S.- I wonder if Will would have pulled the bike off him if roles were switched?
Im sure McDade got more out of helping will hahn than he would have if he had got a better finish in the race had he not helped him. What I'm saying is that some things are more important than winning.
Mike McDade is the type of rider that we wish everyone could be at every level of our sport. Think about the contrast between Mike McDade and Justin Barcia just a couple of months back at the Houston Supecross. McDade rescues his competitor from a crash...and holds the bike up so he can get on it...whereas Barcia throws a fit and roosts not only his competitor...but the attending physician as well. Winning in and of itself doesn't show class...but how one wins certainly can. Good luck to Mike McDade and the entire Eleven Mods team.
I remember WAY back at an NESC race when I believe JOJO stopped to take a bike of Joe Waddington I think, well into the moto also.
What a man of sport! He deserves a gold medal for what he did
Sometimes in a split second, we have to make a choice, with no time to think or ponder what anyone else thinks about it. It come's from your true character of your inner soul. You have gained more respect from the fans than you'll ever know. Just keep doing what you do and it will all work out. We'll all be pulling for you now. Good luck and be safe.
Would like to have seen the look on his Parents' faces after their Son reached out the way he did to help one of his competitors. As a Father of two young kids, I felt so much pride for them. Golden.
that was cool, most guys at the track do this, but I wonder if I would have, it looked like wil yelled for help so most probably would. He was completly out of sight !!!
I would have taken the bike off of him, but would not have held it up for any period of time.
@ Motodogg, so true! There are many who bash the Alessis and much of it is warranted.
Do you remember ( In that split second you are talking about ) Mike Alessi chose to stand on Ivan Tedesco's bike. I believe Mike was actually showing us more of Tony's character. I think Tony brainwashed Mike into being what he was and now that Mike has grown up and become his own man, he has fortunately developed his own character.
What an impact however all of Alessi decisions, made on Mike and Jeffs careers
What a nice moment that was. I was hoping this would get some coverage on Speed or maybe other national news coverage. Almost felt a tear coming for a second there when they showed the replay but then I remembered that "there's no crying in Motocross". :)
McDade earned my respect for taking time to do what was right, so to him, helmets off and a BIG THUMBS UP !!!!
I choose to believe that there is good in all of us, some just don't use it often enough.
Well done Mike, keep making the right choices..you see where they can lead you!
Usually don't comment, but this was so cool. My father and I were watching the coverage as usual, trying to figure out where the fast 5 were before Jason and Jeff told us, and saw that clip and realized how unimportant, for that moment, where the fast 5 were. Some dude i'd never heard of just helped out a fellow racer/competitor that every mx household knows. It was awesome, and when they cut to the replay (thankfully) we were laughing with Jason as to how amazing it was, holding the bike just long enough for Hahn to not have to pick it up, and just long enough so he could grab his machine that weighs a bunch more, makes a bunch less power, knowing that he probably just lost 1 more spot at the end of the moto, and having no idea how many MX fans are now rootin' for him for the rest of his career! You rock McDade, we need more men like you out there. Now grab the holey at Unadilla, the entire MX community is pullin' for ya! And Geico Honda should totally hook him up with a motor . . .
It really was an amazing moment and I rewound and replayed it several times. The thing that stands out for me is that in that split second, if you watch closely, this young man's character clearly shows. When it becomes clear that Wil Hahn is yelling, Mike turns around and instantly drops his bike. No hesitation, no taking the time to carefully lay his bike on its side, he just acts immediately to help someone else. It was an awesome moment and I totally agree, the entire MX community WILL be pulling for you from now on. Class act, young man.
Thanks for sharing that with us pizzacorner, shows your true Character. Good deed MR McDade, I hope all riders can appreciate that gesture by Mike. 100% young Man 100%.
That was a brilliant display of class and sportsmanship.
Absolutely the coolest thing I've seen at a Pro race this year!! He may never win a championship, but there are thousands upon thousands of moto parents who hope their kids grow up to be like Mike McDade!! Quality person right there. Give em the cover RacerX!!!
Now is the time for the industry to step forward, yes, we all nkow times are tough.
Some sponsor that can give to those who earn it (without asking for it).
eg NIKE, where are you, maybe this young man could were your MX boots with pride and dignity.
Come on sponsors put your foot forward as i;m sure most of us fellow MXers will follow.
motodog77, He doesn't need a geico motor. He has an Eleven10 motor.
Spagina - you're right, as soon as I submitted I realized I shouldn't have implied that the Eleven10 bike needs anything to be competitive. Apologies and no disrespect. Rid Red or keep it in the shed!
will hahn is such a cute little guy, if i saw him trapped under a bike my heart would just break. adorable
@Chase Stallo: It's nice to see an effort like McDade's, has the legs to make the recognition story like it has.
I would bet, McDade might have expected Hahn to come over after the race and say, "Thanks Man." But, because he was so casual about his deed as it took place, (in hind sight) that he really was amazed at the outcropping of praise from the public. It was also very honest of him to note that two years ago he would have run him over. Somehow, I think not!
This sport can seem pretty ruthless at times, and even these boards can become pretty heartless at times. I know I have said somethings on these boards that I wish there was an edit button to click, and retract my (less than) humanitarian comments to others. And I apologize for my lack of consideration in retrospect if it was you I targeted.
So, in summary McDade did what any self respecting person (should) do for their fellow man, and I am glad Chase Stallo, and the rest of the world appreciates his effort and took notice.
Good on ya, Mate!
It wasn't until the second time I watched it that I noticed Hahn's hand waving for help. The first time I watched I just thought he grabbed the wrong bike. You couldn't even see him under there except for his hand.
It was pretty cool to watch that happen. I was a little scared for Hahn seeing the smoke rising.
PS "Mike McDade for President 2012."
"The White House is looking for a Few Good Men"
;~}}}
You can't buy the kind of exposure this bit of sportsmanship will net him.
I'm a huge fan of motocross and hust as guilty as the next guy of only paying attention to the top 10 riders.
Suddenly me and so many others will be watching to see how he is finishing through this and seasons to come.
Way to go Mike McDade! My hats of to you for doing the right thing and helping someone in need.
@Pizzacorner............ it is surprizing to me that you think anyone cares what you would do in that situation.
@ VistaJim
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4ns0e_wjkw-tv8-cleveland-big-chuck-skit-w_shortfilms
Did you ever see Big Chuck and Little John..Cleveland Market Little John Rinaldi took over when Hoolihan left Big Chuck... Channel 8 WJW Dick Goodard weather man was on some of the skits after the news..............Dick Goodard is still on channel 8 its fox 8 now
Or the Cool Ghoul or Ghoulardi ernie anderson
Ghoulardi All The World Is A Purple Knif
Hey guys... Just so everyone knows... Wil did come over to us during staging for second moto and both he and his mechanic thanked mike numerous times and were very grateful for what he did!
@Mr-Mx, what are you on tonight? Did you bring enough for everyone??
im sure we all have seen at our local tracks, when someone goes down all young stupid kids grab their cameras and start to recording, hooping to be the next youtube sensation instead of helping the down rider.
parents show this to your kids and let them know the right thin to do is something like this
Good on you McDade!
@Mr Med X: Earth to Mr-X, Come in, Over... ...
Paging Nurse Kratchett!
Please report to the Ward, Immediately!
Nurse Kratchett!
@ Caseypons HA HA ! YOU BETTER SET THAT NURSE UP FOR tampabayjay799
Looks kinda like poppy's half brother
Just watched the tape................Anyone out their saying dungy is not the man you better look at last years 2nd moto tape starting almost a lap down in the crap to get a 7th WTF............... PLUS THIS YEAR............. Looks like were ever he is its all about team work if you ask me ......................
"If this happened two years ago, I probably would have run him over!" joked McDade.
Hilarious!!!
Important part of this article............his sponsor (eleven-10 mods) got exposure for a 25th place finish.
Mike McDade got more exposure for his sponsor by doing the "right thing" than bettering his finishing position.
Sometimes it all goes right.
Wouldn't expect anything less of Mike, good person... Son has raced amature races with him and lives in my community... Has taken the time to even stop and speak to me and tell me if my son ever wants to practice, "tell him to get a hold of me"... In this sport it is one place you will find a bond among all rider's.. From the smallest on a 50cc to the 450's they can be closer than family on any track.... Mike's passion and compassion with in is what make's Motocross the sport it is... Indeed he is a Class Act.
The sad thing is something like this happening should not be so rare and surprising. The least a person should do when somebody is down like that beside them is throw the bike off them. Good job Mike!
Asterisk should hook Mike up with some cash or something for his compassion in another riders time of need. It would be a great PR moment for both. I hope we see McDade get to the top in the next few years.