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The funeral for freestyle motocross champion Jeremy Lusk attracted more than 1,100 people to Revival Christian Fellowship Church in Menifee on Monday.

Lusk, who was 24, died days after sustaining major head injuries during the X Knights FMX (Freestyle Motocross) in San Jose, Costa Rica, on Feb. 7.

Rain poured at the funeral, soaking friends and family – some in black suits and dresses, many more in t-shirts and flat-brimmed, fitted ball caps worn backward – as they filed into the church.

Mourners filled the sanctuary to capacity and occupied several "overflow" rooms equipped with projectors and sound systems.

Many of the people in attendance were involved in the motocross entertainment industry, and one only had to look to the parking lot for evidence.

On the curb in front of the church were two black buses emblazoned with a logo reading "Freestyle MX." Dozens of lifted trucks, many with dirt bikes sitting erect in the bed, crowded tightly into the parking lot’s spaces.

Lusk, who began riding motorcycles at 3 and turned professional at 19, was a gold medal winner in the 2008 X Games XIV Freestyle competition and snared a silver medal in the 2008 X Games Best Trick contest.

Within the church, family members and friends talked about Lusk’s energy, his humor, his newfound religiosity and the drive that led to his daredevilry and eventually to his death.

"He was the best uncle ever… He was always there to make me laugh with his funny faces," a little girl identified only as his niece said at the podium during the service. She broke into tears and walked off the stage into her mother’s arms.

Several members of Lusk’s FMX "crew" spoke of how much Lusk added to their performances.

"He was always pushing me. He Advertisement

Barley and Hops brought so much life to our crew," said fellow FMX rider and Metal Mulisha teammate Ronnie Faisst.

"He would make me do things I just didn’t want to do," fellow freestyle champion Brian Deegan, who identified himself as Lusk’s best friend, said.

Damien Laferierre spoke of Lusk’s love for danger and eagerness to take risks.

"He already had his seatbelt on and I should have known," said Laferierre, recalling the time Lusk picked him up to take him to Proctor Valley on a surprise off-roading trip.

While Laferierre struggled to fasten his seatbelt, Lusk accelerated. "I told him, ‘We’re going to crash,’ and he just laughed," Laferierre recalled. "I love that guy. He’s nuts."

Family and friends alike praised Lusk’s accomplishments.

"He was the next big thing in action sports and he accomplished all his goals by the age of 24," Deegan said.

Lusk’s grandfather, Tom, expressed regret at his grandson’s involvement in the highly risky sport. "Is there any reason he’d go upside-down on a motorcycle – play Russian roulette?" he pondered.

Ultimately, he said, he was glad his grandson lived his life doing something he loved, despite it leading to his early death.

"He didn’t want to be like me… he didn’t want to punch a timecard. He wanted to be with you who took him where he wanted to go," he said, pointing to several people in the front as tears poured from his eyes. "How can you tell somebody, don’t be all you can be? Don’t be what you want to be? Be like me… He did it because he was good at it and he wanted to do it."

As the service ended, six pallbearers – three of whom wore Metal Mulisha t-shirts – loaded the casket into a white hearse.