Motocrosser Jimmv Button
BY CHRIS JONNUM
"1 didn't realize I have as many fans as I do.
It's kind of a terrible way to figure it out, but
it's been awesome to see everyone coming
out and doing the things they've been doing."
12
FEBRUARY 23, 2000'
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the moment Jimmy Button went down on
his factory Yamaha YZ426F in a practice session at the January 22 San Diego Supercross, people
have been concemed. Despite the fact that the crash
appeared relatively minor in nature, it was apparent
from the conduct of the track personnel and from
Button's lack of movement that something rather serious had occurred. Immediately, people began to
worry.
Practice was red-flagged while Button had his
head stabilized and was loaded onto a backboard,
and he was quickly transported to nearby Sharp's
Medical Center with an entourage of concerned family members and friends in tow. The show carried
on, but the fans, officials, team personnel and racers
fretted all night, with good friend Jeremy McGrath
and teammate David Vuillemin dedicating heat-race
and main-event wins, respectively, to Button.
The vexation continued through Button's
February 3 transfer to Scottsdale, Arizona's
Health South Meridian Point Rehab Hospital
(near the homes of much of Button's family),
and through Chaparral's February 8 memorabilia auction to raise money for offsetting Button's medical expenses. With all this concern,
Button's status and progress have become the top-
LI
