Stuntman Eddie Braun ‘Truly Proud’ of Completing Evel Knievel's Dream Rocket Jump
— -- Hollywood stuntman Eddie Braun is walking on air after successfully launching himself in a rocket over Idaho's Snake River Canyon in the name of his childhood idol, daredevil Evel Knievel.
Braun self-funded -- at a cost of $1.6 million over three years -- his dream to take on the challenge that eluded Knievel, who famously failed the attempt over 40 years ago because the parachute deployed prematurely.
In his only interview since he successfully landed the jump on Friday, Braun said he was proud.
"I feel like the no-name, third-string quarterback of a junior-varsity team that just won the Super Bowl," he said. "My team got me there. I ran it into the end zone. We scored and won."
Baun's hefty investment in the stunt paid off when he completed the jump over the massive canyon in a steam-powered rocket bike and parachuted safely near the landing site. Spectators and media from all over the world were watching.
GoPro footage shows Braun inside his rocket, "Evel Spirit," as he launched 2,000-feet into the air at 400 mph.
The 30-year-old stunt veteran remained calm throughout and gave a proud thumbs-up after he landed the audacious leap. He later acknowledged the strength it took to endure such a challenge.
"Forget the fact that I was scared to death, it just sucked. It hurt, it was so hot. It was uncomfortable," Braun said post jump.
Once Braun touched down safely on the other side of the canyon, he said the emotions could sink in later, but added: "Right now it's just -- we did it."
Braun's success fulfilled his goal to prove Knievel could have made it had the daredevil's parachute not prematurely deployed.
Now that Braun has lived out his dream, he said, "I've got to go get a job tomorrow because I just blew $1.6 million on a rocket. I have no money but, you know what, how do you put a price on something you are truly proud of?"
