About

Brian Deegan: Founder of Freestyle Motocross and Decorated Off-Road Racer

Brian Deegan has always done things his own way. At 17 years old, he left his hometown in Nebraska in search of a job racing dirt bikes. He had little resources, but loads of talent and initiative. Two decades later, Deegan has become the pioneer of freestyle motocross, a founding member of the world’s most recognized freestyle motocross team, and a decorated competitor in the off-road racing circuit.

Deegan grew up in a small town in Nebraska, where football reigns as the most popular youth sport. Fortunately for the world of motocross, Deegan had no interest in football. He instead spent his time riding dirt bikes. Upon graduating from high school, Deegan struck a deal with his dad. He would spend one year chasing the dream of going pro. If things didn’t work out, he’d return to Nebraska and go to college.

The first freestyler

College wasn’t in Deegan’s future, however. He landed a spot on a Supercross team and earned his first 125cc main class win in 1997 at the L.A. Coliseum. He is largely credited with creating freestyle motocross by ghost riding across the finish line at that event. Shortly after, Deegan and fellow rider Larry Linkogle founded the now-famous freestyle team Metal Mulisha.

The success of Deegan and Metal Mulisha has drawn worldwide attention to the sport of freestyle motocross. Deegan himself has won three gold medals and seven bronze medals, and is the only rider to have competed in every X Games competition. He was also the first to do a 360 in competition. Career highlights include a Freestyle World Championship in 1999, and gold medals in the 2002 Winter X Games, 2003 Summer X Games, and 2005 Winter X Games.

Deegan has suffered at least two major injuries in his career. In 2004, he broke his femur and both wrists while competing at the Winter X Games. In the next year, he lost a kidney and a lot of blood after under-rotating a back-flip while filming MTV’s Viva La Bam.

The transition to off-road racing

In 2008, Deegan took his competitive skills to rally and off-road racing events. He placed fourth in his first X Games rally car event in that same year. In the next year, he was the Unlimited Lite champion of the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series. This year, Deegan is making a run at the Pro 2 Unlimited championship. As of June, he’s second in the points standings.

Deegan has made it clear that he intends to be as dominant in off-road racing as he’s been in freestyle motocross. By his performance to date, it looks like he’s already on his way.

Metal Mulisha

Metal Mulisha: The World’s Best-Known Freestyle Motocross Team

Metal Mulisha is a freestyle motocross team and lifestyle brand that was started by Brian Deegan and Larry Linkogle in the late-1990s. Shortly after Deegan and Linkogle began convincing fellow freestylers to join up, Metal Mulisha launched its own clothing line. The team members competed, set records, created new tricks, and won gold medals — all while wearing Metal Mulisha gear. Motocross fans loved it, and the Metal Mulisha brand quickly became associated with nonconformity and success.

The team’s most visible and decorated members include Brian Deegan, Ronnie Faisst, Todd Potter, and the late Jeremy Lusk.

Metal Mulisha remains heavily involved in the development of freestyle motocross. In 2009, the team founded LLF Lusk Legacy Foundation. The foundation advocates safety in freestyle motocross and is the official charity organization of the American Freestyle Motocross Association. Metal Mulisha also spreads the word about freestyle motocross by partnering with extreme athletes and other lifestyle brands, such as MMA fighter Renato “Babalu” Sobral and Rock Star Energy Drink.

The Metal Mulisha clothing line is distributed throughout U.S., Canada, and Australia.

Metal Mulisha F-150

See Brian Deegan and the all-new Metal Mulisha Ford F-150 XLT. The truck features custom Metal Mulisha wheels and other accessories, plus Metal Mulisha logos and graphics on the body.