First Famous Sports Streaker Is Embarrassed by Past Actions
The year was 1974. The setting was Twickenham Stadium in London, the 82,000-seat home of English rugby. It was cold, and Australian accountant Michael O'Brien had no real reason to do something crazy. Except that he couldn't say no to a dare.
His Aussie friends told an English colleague, "Don't ever bet O'Brien. He's so crazy that he can never turn down a challenge." The Englishman couldn't believe it, so he bet O'Brien ten pounds that he wouldn't run across the field naked at half time. O'Brien, who couldn't say no, took the bet, and the game was on.
To win the bet, he had to reach the fencing at the far end of the playing field. He stripped down and flew across the field. The police tackled him just before he reached his goal. Although the TV broadcast was in commercials, photographer Ian Bradshaw captured the shots that went round the world.
O'Brien was taken off the field and fined ten pounds -- the amount he won in the bet. Even worse, he lost his job because of the incident. Today, he is incredibly embarrassed by his actions.
Pictures in the Sunday Mirror became a huge sensation. Bradshaw's photos were eventually published in newspapers in 35 countries across the globe. The famous police helmet, used to cover O'Brien's midsection, was later auctioned off to raise money for charity. The helmet was recently donated back to the streaker in exchange for an interview.
To win the bet, he had to reach the fencing at the far end of the playing field. He stripped down and flew across the field. The police tackled him just before he reached his goal. Although the TV broadcast was in commercials, photographer Ian Bradshaw captured the shots that went round the world.
O'Brien was taken off the field and fined ten pounds -- the amount he won in the bet. Even worse, he lost his job because of the incident. Today, he is incredibly embarrassed by his actions.
Pictures in the Sunday Mirror became a huge sensation. Bradshaw's photos were eventually published in newspapers in 35 countries across the globe. The famous police helmet, used to cover O'Brien's midsection, was later auctioned off to raise money for charity. The helmet was recently donated back to the streaker in exchange for an interview.
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