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15. 1975
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Shoe Dog, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Entrepreneurship, Experience, and Perseverance
Leadership
Global Economies
Balancing Family and Work
Summary
Analysis
Despite his recent triumphs, Knight still needs a new bank for Blue Ribbon to function successfully. Eventually, he finds the First State Bank of Oregon, which offers him a $1 million account. Although the account is not as big as Knight wishes it was, he realizes it is as good as he is going to get for the time being.
Without Onitsuka on his back, Knight is free to grow Nike at whatever pace he is comfortable with. However, Knight does not take his foot off the gas. He continues to borrow as much money as possible so Blue Ribbon can grow as quickly as possible.
Themes
The following weekend, Prefontaine hosts a race in Eugene and invites some of the top athletes in the world, including his archnemesis, Viren. Knight and Penny go to the race to watch Prefontaine compete. As usual, Prefontaine is brilliant and manages to win the race and break his own record. Knight cannot remember a time where he was more impressed with Prefontaine’s skill and grace. Watching Prefontaine run is pure joy for Knight.
Knight seems to love Prefontaine the most of all the athletes he interacts with. Watching Prefontaine run is a transcendent experience for Knight; he marvels at Prefontaine’s talent and is proud to have him as part of the team.
Themes
Unfortunately, following the race, something terrible happens. Prefontaine goes to a party after the race and, on his way home, he loses control of his car and crashes. Sadly, the crash kills Prefontaine. At the time of his death, he is only 24 years old—the same age Knight was when he left home for Hawaii. Bowerman gives the eulogy at Prefontaine’s funeral, which Knight and Penny attend. Knight can barely find the strength to make it through the terrible day. At the funeral, Knight realizes someone needs to create a shrine for Prefontaine, like many of the holy sites he visited on his travels, and he decides Blue Ribbon must be in charge of the project. Even though they do not have extra money, it is imperative to Knight that they find the money for something as important as the death of a friend.
Throughout the memoir, Knight and Blue Ribbon go through many challenging times; however, this is the first time they witness tragedy strike firsthand, and it is a terrible blow. Following Prefontaine’s death, Knight demonstrates that money will never surpass Blue Ribbon’s dedication to those who built the company. Knight loved Prefontaine and wants to honor him in any way he can. Knight’s realization that Prefontaine was the same age as he was before traveling to Hawaii shows how much life Prefontaine had left to live. After all, Knight had barely done anything at his age, and Prefontaine was already an Olympic athlete.
Themes
