Rollerblade Faggots By Mike Vallely (Circa May 1996)
“Rollerblade Faggots.” Okay, now that I have your attention… It’s high time for skateboarders and the skateboard industry to really come to terms in a sense with inline skating. I’ve seen and heard enough ignorant stupidity over the last five or six months, fists and pens of certain skateboarders and industry types that I feel it’s time that someone with a functioning brain and a sense of reality speak up and clue some people in… Oh damn, that would have to be me again.
(I can relate everything that happens in the present time, it seems, with something that happened to me in my hometown growing up skating. I have done it again, so please bear with me.)
When I started skating in ‘84, there were certain adversities that came along with the territory of just being a skateboarder. I always felt these “adversities” only added to the experience and helped make it more real and meaningful, and truly gave purpose and sense to what I was doing. I was thankful to be a skateboarder in the face of my hometown and, beyond that, in the face of the world. [...]
Check the Picture in hi resolution | text version on Intuition.
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:00 pm
Back then I would´ve been happy about an interview like that. Today I couldn´t care less…I don´t need anyone´s approval…(by the way…why publish an 14 year old interview?)
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:14 pm
hehehe
Mike Wallely Rocks
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:37 pm
I’ve always liked Vallely
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Lukas.. ur just as arrogant and stupid as most skateboarders. he aint giving his approval, obviously you didnt (or couldnt) read it all. its about respect. oh and you say back then you would’ve been happy about this.. it was published back in the day. go educate urself.
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:12 pm
taken directly from be-m^g message board with no credit
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
^^actually taken directly from facebook..dumbfuck..rollernews dosent make news!
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm
iLOVEblading Says:
June 23rd, 2010 at 12:55 pm
Lukas.. ur just as arrogant and stupid as most skateboarders. he aint giving his approval, obviously you didnt (or couldnt) read it all. its about respect. oh and you say back then you would’ve been happy about this.. it was published back in the day. go educate urself.
coming from someone who trips over basic english words? “u make me day hillbilly!”
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:55 pm
…and as I said. Why post a 14 year old statement? As if it was specifically meaningful for us today. Oh and please maybe rant about my mom this time. That would add some colour to your highly educated responses…
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:05 pm
Lukas Says:
June 23rd, 2010 at 1:55 pm
…and as I said. Why post a 14 year old statement? As if it was specifically meaningful for us today. Oh and please maybe rant about my mom this time. That would add some colour to your highly educated responses…
hmmm it doesn’t mean that much… indeed an its an old interview.
but i still liked to read it!
and i agree on what he has to say, so it has meaning on posting it here, cuz i mr faggot on roller skates like the interview
June 23rd, 2010 at 2:22 pm
It’s a shame this article made fuck all difference but it’s worth reading and thinking about as there is a warning here.
Skateboarders used to be the outsiders. They used to be cool. They used to be like us. Now they have a fucking gay sellout advert for cereal in every other break and fake graffiti on the street course at the X games. Vallely is from the old generation and therefore respects us, but the majority hate us because they are following opinion of a few nob ends, just like they followed opinion in to skateboarding in the first place.
In years to come when our boom comes, there is every chance we will become a bunch of jock mainstream tossers just like that and that would be a great fucking shame.
Next time i ride the local park, i might be nice to the scooter kid that gets in my way because i’d rather die than end up being an ignorant hater cunt. You know the type… like a security guard, or a teacher, or a football jock, or a cop, or a skateboarder.
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:13 pm
we were so young then. i wish the newer generation understood that it wasnt easy being a rollerbkader at one stage… but its not all bad, it certainly made us stronger
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:19 pm
Fuck I ain’t got no more excuses to go to gay clubs !
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
posted http://rolling-a-mindgameinfocus.blogspot.com/
nice to see and read , would be good to post this on every skateboard forum for all the young skateboarders to read so things do mellow out…
infact there has been a rise in respect and accpetence between the two and we talk and have a good laugh like anyone and its chill… and yea why bash scooters.. they ll learn and we can help that.
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:44 pm
did’nt need to read the rest of the article the title says it all and it seems like mike valely is a douche himeself. how olds he now like 25-27, and hes talking shit about rollerblading… sort it out mate
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Mike V has been one and only skateboarder i respected all over the years while i was skateboarding due to his super crazy stunts and also he has a respected and inspiring personality.
i guess what he says is what i think too. why bother what are others doing. as long as enjoy what you are doing and influence others to do what you do, if thats possible.
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:12 pm
and equally bladers should stop tripping on skateboarding…
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:24 pm
You have so many asshole trough the world. Bladers and Skaters as well.
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:24 pm
You wouldn’t moan about it if it wasn’t a worthy adversary. I won’t hate on skateboarding its fine but bladings awesome each to their own, if you don’t like blading come and say it to our face and see what you get lol.
June 23rd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
My First thought was oh shit not this faggot…lol, I had seen a video of him hella days ago beating up some kids that had a problem with him and vise versa. So initially I came to believe that he was just another one of those skateboarders that you just can’t stand. Then I start reading after the opening line…This was back in 1996 when rollerblading blew up and stole everyones’ spotlight, which would obviously bring haters to everyone that felt forgotten. Its too bad that we now realize that rollerblading is the shit and always will be, and we dont need verification from nobody…If you dont like skateboarding…great, If you dont like rollerblading…great. We both do shit on handrails no other sport in the world can do. Including BMX…Yea they grind but they only can put a bike in so many different positions. He had some truth back in 96 that we as a collective sport have now, and we may always be hated. But what feels better than lacing a TTS on a droprail??? Well maybe a hurricane topsoul…hahah. So do you and fuck everyone else who says otherwise!
June 23rd, 2010 at 5:40 pm
“In years to come when our boom comes, there is every chance we will become a bunch of jock mainstream tossers just like that and that would be a great fucking shame.”-Anonymous
Looking at a lot of the stuff we’ve seen people say on Rollernews, not to mention some of the lack-of-effort, hipster ledge-tapping nonsense etc. we’ve seen in recent years, you could argue the case that has, in some quarters, already happened.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Hey have you ever thought that maybe Mike Gaylelley likes to shove his hard skateboard up his ass and let the griptape grind the shit out of it. HEY MIKE YOU SUCK DICK YOU FUCKING FAGBOARDER!!!!!
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:27 pm
That was a good read. Shame it’s so old. He speaks the truth in the last paragraph. Think some people need to chill out a little and read/re-read the article.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:29 pm
If you’re not going to take time to actually read the fucking article, THEN DON’T RESPOND! I met Mike Vallely and that guy is fucking rad. One of the true legends of skateboarding that actually respects what we do. If you talk shit about that, then you’re a moron.
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:41 pm
The truth is that every other “extreme sport” make laugh of rollerblading.As long as “pro skaters” will “rock” vests and girl pants , as long as they won’t be doing corks , flips and other badass effective stunts – nothing will change.Thank god for haffey ,montre, taig khris and yasutokos .
June 23rd, 2010 at 6:59 pm
yeah rollerqueers are fags.
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:06 pm
i rele dont care about what people say JUST SKATE!!!!!!
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Who cares…this is for childern
June 23rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm
you idiots talking shit about this article clearly didnt read the whole thing. which is just as bad as skateboarders dismissing rollerblading as gay without even looking into how legit it really is.
if you read it, you would know that he isnt hating on rollerblading, hes actually telling people that do to be more tolerant. i like reading things like this… too bad ITS FROM 1996 AND NO ONE CARES ABOUT IT NOW. apparently it didnt do much to change peoples opinions when it was published, and it sure as hell isnt going to matter now. what the hell rollernews
June 23rd, 2010 at 8:37 pm
This is a great read. And the people spewing hate obviously didn’t read the article. It’s good to know someone on the other side is willing to respect us more, regardless of it being 14 years ago.
June 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm
Look I’m sorry but you young guys are sad. Mike Valley doesn’t deserve your respect. Yes he fights a lot, but he’s been talking shit about us since the beginning. Him, Hawk, and many others. This article is for skateboarders to read. We have our own guys from our industry that speak on our lifestyle. However fuck Mike. he’s a bitch made faggot that never could skate spectacularly. Just watch any of his sections and you’ll understand why. He’s part of the reason that there’s a war out here in the US. A lot of you don’t even know when you’re being mocked at cause you’re still young and naive however keep living. You’ll be called many things and treated like shit cause you skate. Look at the various video titles. It’s not for fun, it’s how we truly feel.
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Every single one of you kids are sad sensitive little bitches with their periods, who take all of this rollerblading shit way too seriously.
You jump on rails and concrete curbs in various ways to slide a few feet then roll away, its rediculous to think its anything more than that.
Stop pretending your opinion matters on this planet. Raise your children with respect and morals. Get a job that you enjoy doing and provide for you families. Do good by others. Grow up, lose your virginity, and pay some fucking bills. Then maybe your opinions would matter.
This internet shit is a vehical for you ignorant and arrogant tweens to say things about others with no consequence of your words.
This site is a damn good representation of the myspace, facebook, AOL generation. Youre ALL complete and utter morons with no hope to better yourselves. For that, Im sad to say I participate in the same past time as you. I hate you all.
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 pm
Anonymous Says:
June 23rd, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Every single one of you kids are sad sensitive little bitches with their periods, who take all of this rollerblading shit way too seriously.
You jump on rails and concrete curbs in various ways to slide a few feet then roll away, its rediculous to think its anything more than that.
Stop pretending your opinion matters on this planet. Raise your children with respect and morals. Get a job that you enjoy doing and provide for you families. Do good by others. Grow up, lose your virginity, and pay some fucking bills. Then maybe your opinions would matter.
This internet shit is a vehical for you ignorant and arrogant tweens to say things about others with no consequence of your words.
This site is a damn good representation of the myspace, facebook, AOL generation. Youre ALL complete and utter morons with no hope to better yourselves. For that, Im sad to say I participate in the same past time as you. I hate you all.
the unicorns love u though :)
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:02 pm
skateboarding to me is about as trendy/mainstream as you can get, i understand that people will do what they love to do. I have friends who are really good at skateboarding and even they think that skateboarding as a WHOLE is fucking retarded now. They used to be street rats shreddin the streets and now there money makers doing anything they can to double there profit. skateboarding is polluted no matter what any pro trys to through at you. And i don’t understand why they have to be little bitches and think there tough for putting down rollerblading. We should be working together as a team, the team of action sports. Half the kids cant even kickflip anyway. trend trend trend. i will always be glad to make friends. no matter what they do. It’s about respect and these dumb shits dont have it. ( most of them ) but hey look haffey is on nitro circus?
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 pm
AND – Mike Valley is a huge hockey fan. Hockey skating = Inline skating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDwHOX_2WyE
Educate yourselves children before you post your nonsense. This guy is a genuine class act. An all around good man. Show him respect.
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
READ THE DAMN ARTICLES YOU IDIOTS………. If you commented on this thread without reading the article like the “aaron turner douche” then PLEASE QUIT BLADING NOW!!!!!!!
The article isn’t directed at “rollerblade faggots” its directed to douche bag skateboarder that call us that.
READ THE DAMN ENTIRE ARTICLE FUCK HEADS.
Don’t bother dissing Mike Valleley if you don’t even read this, because it makes you sound like a skateboarding douchebag!
June 23rd, 2010 at 10:47 pm
well why if you say read the whole thing did rollernews highlight to make it look like he was spreading mindless hate. A common journalistic trick, take a quote out of context to get a reader in then reveal the less exciting truth, lol.
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:07 pm
hehe funny thing as well is that i posted this on thrasher and within hours its vanished considering its about skateboarding and a well known legend..
some one doesnt want the truth out.
childs play here, and there are a good number of skateboarders that respect rolling for what it is now, and become friends with one another… just as if they didnt have a skateboard or a pair of aggressive skates beneath them…
each sport to its own . ignor the dick heads and respect those who respect and love somthing as much as you do and do it because they want to be good at it and rep the sport the way it should be not because its KOOL, not like some kids that started because of skate1,2,3 or tony hawk series of games or ooo im a nerd i may get a girl if i dress like and have kool skateboard like other pro´s blah.
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Everyone just needs to quit wearing faggot ass tight jeans
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:53 pm
i do shower up after work and hit the streets as well…….thats the common ground for me.
June 24th, 2010 at 12:13 am
I didn’t understand how there could be so many responses to this article, and after reading through them all, it seems to me like people are talking a load of bullshit.
Some of you are just stuck in your ways, or are trying too hard to replicate the standard; ‘rollerbladers hate skateboarders’ and vice versa… You need to be more open to new ways of thinking, and different ideals. If a skateboarder is trying to make a stand, and create a positive link between our two sports, (no matter how long ago it was) the rollerblading community should be supporting it. A select majority of skateboarders share the opinions that Mike Vallely is trying to deminish. But instead of sitting back and continuing the feud between our sports; if you atleast make an attempt to talk to the skateboarders, and bmxers too for that matter, you’ll find that they do their chosen sport for the exact same reasons as you do yours. In turn, these actions will hopefully change skateboarders opinions of rollerbladers…It will obviously take a long time to bridge the gap that has been created, but it will be worth it in the end.
June 24th, 2010 at 1:37 am
who gives a fuck about this news?
June 24th, 2010 at 2:56 am
ummm all i gots to say is skateboards are one thing but the skateboarders who ride them are another… and suggesting you know these people might make a difference on how you perceive any skater whether its wood or plastic. theres assholes on both ends just respect the ones who got it (respect goes a long way, pass it on) :D and if they throw their board at you fucking sock their shit unless youre outnumbered :D nIMhRiderROLLER4LifE
June 24th, 2010 at 2:58 am
^^^^ hey thats my entry how come my name didnt show! im mad.
June 24th, 2010 at 4:09 am
quero mais é que esse cara de foda!
kkkkk
June 24th, 2010 at 6:36 am
fuck ya wood pushersssss dey asss
June 24th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
even with this interview brought back to the rollerbladers eyes, you fuckers are pretty fuckin ignorant. i used to skateboard way back when. hell, i’ve even done some bmx.
i remember what it was like with jocks. weird cause i was a jock as well. i’d catch so much flack and get into fights. not cause i was sticking up for skateboarding but it was because some dudes run their mouths too much.
a whole lot of you rollerbladers need to wise up.
June 24th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Okay firstly, YES! Yes to everyone who has told the others who haven’t actually read the article, and then commented on it thinking it was bashing rollerblading, to shut their cyber traps and go back and read it. NO to any one who dismisses this article as old and useless. I thought it was a very well worded article that explains why it is so stupid to hate others for what they like to do. It was simiply good reading that obviously many of us have never read. I agree with the flip side to what Mike said 14 years ago about rollerblading just not jiving right with him. Granted 14 years ago we were much more raw and unpolished like we are today, so maybe his opinion has changed. I myself don’t quite see the appeal of flipping a skateboard over small sets of steps and doing short technical grinds that you don’t really even need to balance on. WHATEVER! It’s no reason to have all this hate going around. So far it has done nothing! Nothing worth a damn at least. Oh except maybe create pointless fights, and stop the needed exposure for rollerblading to actually have anything that resembles a true “industry.” It’s almost ALWAYS grommets that carry on this hate any way. I’m embarrassed for anybody that has been blading or boarding for a while that still carries on the stupid bickering/fighting/shit talking. Definitely grow up. But hey! To the anonymous asshole that said, “You jump on rails and concrete curbs in various ways to slide a few feet then roll away, its rediculous to think its anything more than that,” please get off this forum. You sound like such an arrogant, ignorant, douche. Yeah there’s a lot of kids on here that will naturally talk shit because of the anonymity of the internet. Big fuckin’ deal. Times change. You take the good with the bad, and ignore what you can. Ignore that shit like any sensible person. Don’t stoop to their level by belittling our sport that is MUCH MORE than a sport. Don’t tell kids to lose their virginity (like that makes us cool for being older and having had sex), provide for families they don’t have to provide for, and definitely don’t tell people they have no hope of bettering themselves. I hate all this negativity that people love to spread. Be secure with yourself, stop worrying about what other people say or do (especially on the effing internet), and if you want others to change their ways try and do it in a POSITIVE way. Peace.
June 24th, 2010 at 10:06 pm
mike valley could probably help pivot inline back on some of the action sports websites he frequents aka http://www.shredordie.com.
if he is as cool as he comes off… he may has some authority over this… if he doesn’t well->
that’s where we “Inliners” both young and old have to take the power back.
the US mass media market governs our potential and the general public still doesn’t know that we exist… maybe just your extended network of friends does… blading needs more powerful exposure than ever if any “pro” actually wants to make a living off busting their ass, bones, and etc.
i know i have dislocated both shoulders, jacked my foot-requiring future surgery, cracked my femur, almost collapsed a lung, cracked my wrist, fell on my head*, etc and etc for no pay. so you can’t tell me I don’t do it for the love regardless… however, if inline was as big as skateboarding. i’d be getting paid as well as a lot of other talented skaters that are out there today.
i see blading blowing up again… as long as bladers like those connected in the radio, tv, and film industries do everything they can to contribute to this growth. you can’t ask for more than that.
so if you really care about this industry… go out and make rollerblading popular today aka get someone to blade. infiltrate your local skateparks in wolve packs. be a badass. represent SHUN!!!!!!!!!!
June 25th, 2010 at 8:26 am
It always confused me how middle aged men who kicked a bit of wood around for their living could decide we weren’t cool lol.
Oh well, who cares but at least there was one level headed skateboarder (Mike V) that could see sense.
The cops and most people in general give us too much shit for us to really care what skateboarders have to say about us, they’ve gone through it as well and we will overcome all of this just like they did.
And if we don’t get respected who cares, keep blading anyway. It doesn’t matter if it’s popular.
June 25th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
who gives a fuck, it’s old news at the end of the day
if i see a skateboarder do something good i’ll usually clap them or at least a nod or a touch or something,
and i’ve impressed nuff skateboarders with my small amount of skills and recieved mutual respect directly,
all this shit talking on here, this is NOW motherfuckers, NOW
go and skate.
June 28th, 2010 at 6:40 am
we’re 1 step away from wearing golden spandex and tying bandannas to our skates for aerodynamic purposes, who ever claims tight jeans are comfortable is simply a girlie