Bob Burnquist Announces 2017 X Games Will Be Last of Career

Legendary X Games skateboarder Bob Burnquist announced his retirement from the event Saturday after failing to medal in the big air event.

Burnquist, 40, has the most medals in X Games history. He has not medaled in either of his last two appearances at the X Games. His last triumphant performance came as part of a brilliant 2015 event, where he brought home a pair of golds and a silver.

At age 40, Burnquist has undoubtedly had the longest sustained success skateboarding in history. His first medal came at the 1997 X Games, two decades ago. He's gone on to compete all across the world, becoming a big-air specialist and landing a 900—making him only one of a handful of skaters to ever pull off the feat.

"When you win a certain amount of times, you get to a point where you're like 'OK, is there anything else I can do?' I always want keep progressing. The youthful energy that these kids bring has given me a jolt to keep at it and riding with these kids," Burnquist said in 2015, per Ryan Wallerson of Sports Illustrated.

"I'm going to keep skating as long as I feel competitive and I feel like I'm giving them a hard time, but I love the energy of skating with these kids. They remind me of myself."

Burnquist competed Saturday with kids literally less than half of his age, many of whom grew up idolizing names like his and Tony Hawk's. As he steps away from the X Games stage, it's finally time for the new generation to step fully into the spotlight.