Tony Hawk is widely recognized as one of the most influential skateboarders in history. He first became a professional skateboarder in 1982 and has since won numerous competitions and awards, including 10 X Games gold medals. Hawk is known for revolutionizing the sport with his innovative and daring tricks, such as the 900, which involves spinning two and a half rotations in mid-air. Additionally, he has also launched his own skateboard brand and video game franchise that have gained immense popularity among skaters and non-skaters alike. Overall, Tony Hawk has had a massive impact on the growth and development of skateboarding over the past few decades.