You gotta hand it to some of these “extreme” athletes. One minute they’re breaking their teeth skating down office-park stairs. Next thing you know, they’re superstars, with huge endorsement deals, eponymous video games and even insurance benefits. Say what you want about professional athletes being role models — these guys definitely give Generation Y something to aspire to. Some of these reformed slackers will be appearing this weekend at Six Flags AstroWorld for the Sports Illustrated for Kids Extreme No Limits Roadtrip Tour. Expect your typical Gravity Games or X Games action, as most of the spectacle will be centered around halfpipes and jumpboxes. Watch helmeted pro skaters like Rodney Mead pull off huge ollies — as their enormous cargo shorts flutter in the air — and land gently on their boards. Meanwhile, daredevil BMX types like Joe Tecca, Scott Weaver and Rob Nolli will hit the ramps and pipes, launching themselves at neck-straining heights as they hang from the handlebars of their airborne bikes.

So, parents, let your tweens or teens drag you to this three-day fest. And
when they come home inspired, don’t sweat the impending doctor visits. That
broken leg may make you a fortune one day. Noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Saturday,
July 31, through Monday, August 2. 9001 Kirby Drive. For information, call 713-799-1234
or visit www.sixflags.com. $24.99 to
$46.99. — Steven Devadanam

Get Your Kicks

Ah, the proud tradition of British football. The pomp, the pageantry, the Beckham
bending kickย…and the drunken soccer hooligans beating opposing teams’ fans
senseless. Now followers of the rest of the world’s most popular sport can see
the English Premier League’s Everton team make its U.S. debut in the Copa de
Tejas soccer series. It’s already started another mini-British invasion, with
expats the U.S. over booking flights to Houston to cheer on Everton, known to
their legion of fans as the Blues. Thursday’s match pits the conservative British
style of play against the more daring style of the Mexican Premier League’s
Pachuca. And on Sunday, Everton is expected to snooze its way through a match
with underdog Club America. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, and 2 p.m. Sunday,
August 1. Reliant Stadium, One Reliant Park. For information, call 832-667-1400.
$25 to $55. — Greg Barr

This article appears in Jul 29 โ€“ Aug 4, 2004.