Young Tony Hawk Before Going Pro, 1980
Tony Hawk turned professional with his skateboarding prowess in 1982 at the tender age of 14, significantly altering the global perception of the sport—an impressive feat in itself. However, beyond his skills on a skateboard, he remained a typical teenager, preoccupied with the usual concerns and thoughts of adolescence.
This endearing photo of Hawk from the early ’80s highlights that behind every professional athlete is a regular person, navigating their everyday lives as best as they can—even if they are just on the cusp of adulthood.