E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSI can never forget the bold attempt Speedy made to land his signature jump, The Hurricane, to win the gold medal in the 2006 Olympics in Turin. He landed off balance, and finished seventh.
He came back to win a silver medal in Vancouver in 2010, but he was not able to overcome his personal demons and committed suicide yesterday.
Natalie Morales remembers Jaret "Speedy" Peterson and Today video at the bottom of this post.
Matt Stroup's tribute to Peterson.
Jim Hollander / EPA
Jeret Peterson of the USA lifts off from the 'kicker' in his first of two jumps to win the silver medal in the mens' Aerials freestyle skiing during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Cypress Mountain, north of Vancouver, Canada. Olympic freestyle skiing silver medallist Jeret 'Speedy' Peterson has committed suicide, police said on 26 July 2011. Peterson, 29, shot himself on 25 July 2011, three days after being arrested on suspicion of speeding and drunk driving. He was released on bail.
Martin Bureau / AFP - Getty Images
USA's silver medalist Jeret Peterson competes in the men's Freestyle Skiing aerials final at Cypress Mountain, north of Vancouver on February 25, 2010 during the Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Streeter Lecka / Getty Images file
Jeret Peterson of the United States celebrates winning the silver medal during the freestyle skiing men's aerials final on day 14 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Cypress Mountain Resort on February 25, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.
Mark Blinch / Reuters
Jeret Peterson of the U.S. celebrates after landing his second jump in the men's aerials freestyle skiing final on Cypress Mountain at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, February 25, 2010.
American skier Jeret "Speedy" Peterson, who won a silver medal in the freestyle division at the Vancouver Olympics but suffered from alcohol abuse and depression, took his own life on Monday. TODAY's Natalie Morales reports.