I'm saddened to hear of the passing of Anthony Sewell.
He was the first Pro BMX racer to earn THREE number one titles in the same year
and more importantly, he was also an incredibly nice person.

Over the last two years he started coming to the BMX reunions, get togethers and national races.
He was always incredibly suprised, overwhelmed, and gracious to all who came up to him
and remembered his contribution to the sport

Last time I saw Anthony Sewell was Sun, Feb 8, 09' as I was leaving
the ABA So Cal Nationals at Lake Perris. Didn't even know he had been there all day.
He always had a big hug for me. I always shared with him a memory of something great
he did as a top Pro BMX racer.

I'll always remember DJing Gonzo's Bro-Down 08'
at Elysian Park and Anthony pop locking to "Think" by Lyn Collins

Very sad news.

Sad news indeed.

Sad news indeeed. Please pass on my condolences to his family.

Very sad news. Too young to die.

RIP buddy.

Just terrible. What a loss.

I'm very sad about this... anyone know what happened? I remember watching the first ever televised BMX race on ESPN in 1980 at Indy, and The Panther won it all on concrete!

A legendary all pro and class act.

My condolences to his family.

that's awful, he'll be missed. i remember the year i started '79, he came to our local track and rode with us. i think it was around the time he did the chips episode. he was so down to earth and so friggin fast. i'm glad i've had the opportunity to watch him blow people away on several occasions. RIP anthony.
mike

sorry to hear this,he was an iconic racer for sure..rip my friend.

Very sad news indeed. RIP Anthony. Condolences to the SEWELL Family.

Very sad. He was so young. My condolences to his family, and to all that knew him personally.

Very sad. R.I.P Anthony. Condolences to his family.

What a shame. Anthony will always live on in our memories.

Wow. Thats a shame.

Very fast BTD..Sad..RIP...

Godspeed Anthony

Man I feel stunned seeing this. He was one of the coolest guys from BITD. Super nice and super fast. WAY to young to leave us. By far the biggest legend to leave us. It will be so weird to watch the ESPN races now, knowing he is gone. My prayers are with his family. Sad day. Anyone know who/where to send a note to his family?

Unbelievable.

Am I lost here by asking how?

Very saddened to hear this. I, like Johnny, just saw him at the Perris nats.

In memoriam


Anthony at the 2009 ABA So. Cal Nationals (with Everett Rosecrans).


Anthony in the lobby of the Indianapolis Hyatt, 1980


Anthony leading the Open Main at the 1980 NBL Grands (Click for larger version. Anthony is third from right, in case you didn't know)

©Wizard Publications, Inc. Used by permission


Our prayers are with his family!

Best,

M

sorry to hear about this anyone no what the cause was

Mike,

A very appropriate year for that pic. That was the year he won the NBL title.

Very sad...sending thoughts and prayers to the Sewell family.

What a bummer ! I raced at that same race in Indy in 1980 and stayed at the Hyatt as well ! That pic of the NBL Grands with him leading the pack, man I remember that picture, one of my favorites too from back then. Sewell was like the wind . R.I.P.

Rod Kotiga

It is a sad day in BMX. R.I.P. Anthony.

Great photos Mike!

Anthony you will be missed!!! Back at the Rondo Classic he was so cool and amazing to watch then after 26 years it was mind blowing to catch up with him again in Phoenix then at Gonzo's.

He made his mark in BMX history and most of all he was a class act, hard times or not!!!

I'm not very wordy so pictures speak louder than words.



















My condolences to the Sewell family

I had the pleasure of seeing Anthony Sewell race as a teenager from Minnesota.

The 1st time was at the Jag Worlds in Indy, then at the Rondo Classic 1980 in Minnesota, and also later that year in a mini series in the summer of 1980 in Minnesota. I saw him race quite a few times after that, but these were the most memorable.

Super fast (Spinner) and a super great guy. He will be missed.

This is very sad news indeed..

RIP Anthony Sewell!!

Sorry to hear RIP

Deeply Sad news.......

Rest In Peace Anthony God Speed.........

My condolences to his family.

Buckle

WOW, great pic from 80 grands, thats my home track, I was there that day. Super fast!!

Again RIP Anthony.

Trey

One of my childhood hero's for sure. RIP Anthony.



jk

Anthony was a true "Good Guy" in life. He was to young to go. We will all miss you Anthony, but you will NEVER be forgotten. R.I.P.


Mark Lopez

He gave the only ounce of diginty to a kid on a Murrary bike! Sad sad day....

One of the legends of BMX and one of my first heros. I loved seeing him in the lead with that unquestionable style. R.I.P. Anthony

That is really sad news.
There have been a lot of touching posts regarding our community's loss. I hope his family has a chance to see what kind of impact this man had on so many lives.

It's always hard to hear of a legend in our sport passing away. Anthony was a great guy and racer. He will be missed.

R.I.P. Anthony.

More of Anthony at 1980 Rondo Classic..RIP

Someone I looked up to for sure when I was a kid. Very sad news............. God Bless


Royce Stanley

How did Tony die? ...Accident?

James Bagwell noted on facebook that Anthony died in his sleep on Friday.

Wow, that's too bad. He was a really nice and genuine guy to hang out with. I'd run into him at least 3 or 4 times this last year and spent quite a while talking to him at Gonzos BBQ. RIP Anthony, you will be missed, but your memory will live on. Woody.

Good friend. Classy individual, always smiling I'll miss you Anthony.

Truly sad. Every time one of the people everyone sees as a great human being passes, the world seems smaller and less than.

RIP Anthony

Anthony was one of the first well known America racers to visit Edmonton, Canada in the very early eighties. This picture was taken at Spruce Grove BMX during his visit.



RIP

He was cool to hang out with; he was a great competetor one of the best. RIP Brother!!!

sorry for your loss.

Very sad news. Anthony was one cool cat. Very modest and plesant to talk to. We crossed paths several times over the last few years, and he was always surprised that we remembered his accomplishments in BMX. Anthony always had an ear to ear smile and a hug for his BMX pals.

Godspeed Anthony Sewell, you are missed.

Kevin

For those of you that don't know, Anthony was an 'inner city' kid from one of the tuff areas of Los Angeles. I grew up not far from that area and was always told to avoid going in 'that' direction. 'That' area is where he called home and as far as I know he never left it. Life came hard for him and delt him some health challenges. They were not self induced, just a challenge to be delt with. And that is what he did. He never complained, he was too busy smiling.

He was given the opprotunity to race BMX, and as most of you know, he made the most of it. He took on all commers with his natural abilities and weather you liked him or not his shear spin speed commanded respect. Many of the fastest racers of all time were doomed to watch Anthony from behind but every one of those same racers were blessed to share in the glow of his wonderful smile that could not help but light the surroundings of wherever he was.

At this time, we know he died in his sleep. If we find specific reasons that are appropriate to share, it will be done. But know that he lived a good life, he was an asset to our community and to to the world, and he will be missed and also remembered.

With tears in my eyes, I am proud to call Anthony my friend.

Dennis Dain,

Condolences to the Sewell family. RIP Anthony.

Dennis - well done. A fitting tribute to a good guy.

RIP Anthony. Remembered back in my days Anthony racing in the Kelloggs BMX series here in the UK. Sad sad news and my thoughts are with his family and the whole BMX world. Jim, UK.

I am very saddened by this news. He was/is an Icon in a sport I loved then and now.

RIP Anthony.

-Mark Conley-