Seattle man walking to Brazil for World Cup struck and killed on highway in Oregon

42-year-old Richard Swanson had just left two weeks ago on May 1 from his home in Seattle, Washington, on what was meant to be a year-long journey walking 10,000 miles through 11 countries, passing through the US, Central America and into South America to arrive in Brazil in time for the World Cup in June 2014. On Wednesday, as he walked along the shoulder of US 101 in Lincoln City, Oregon, he was struck from behind by a truck and died of his injuries. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities.

Having recently sold his condo, he had no mortgage, his two sons had graduated from high school, and when he found himself between jobs, he took some time to consider what he wanted to do and wanted an adventure. In a video he filmed as an introduction of himself and his journey, he said, "It gives you time to think about what you want out of life and one of the things I've always wanted to do was go and see the World Cup." He said when he felt like he wasn't really in the position to do it, with not having a job and not having any income coming in, he thought to himself, "I should just walk to the World Cup…just take off out the door and start hoofing it."

After he started batting the idea around for real, a friend then told Richard about One World Futbol, an organization that produces virtually-indestructible soccer balls so youth can play in harsh environments (refugee camps, conflict zones, disaster areas, inner cities and other disadvantaged communities) that might puncture ordinary balls. Balls can either be purchased for donation directly, or for every ball purchased at retail, the company donates a second ball to organizations working with disadvantaged communities around the world.

Richard decided to add a charity component to his trip by dribbling one of the One World balls down to Brazil from Seattle. In light of his passing, many who have heard the story are now donating balls in Richard's name, and some have suggested someone else should pick up Richard's ball and finish the journey with it.  

Richard had a blog and Facebook Page detailing his journey, with photos and videos, and even real-time GPS tracking as he walked. His About section reads: 

"I’m heading off for this amazing adventure on May 1st 2013 to dribble a One World Futbol from Seattle to Brazil. I will spend over a year traveling through North America, Central America, and South America before arriving in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup. I will visit eleven countries (Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and finally Brazil). The trip will finish in Sao Paulo, Brazil where the first game of the World Cup will be held. It will be a trip of a lifetime where I will push myself further then I ever thought possible."

He was using networks of friends and followers of his journey to help him arrange overnight accommodations along the way, and it was clear from his posts about his hosts that he was loving the adventure of it, as well as the generosity and hospitality of the people he met along the way. Richard was already paying forward the generosity, as he'd already given away his spare soccer ball to a young boy who had asked for it. 

About two weeks and 250 miles into his journey, Richard had just posted a video update to his YouTube channel the morning of his death, celebrating his arrival to the coast in Lincoln City, Oregon, and how he was excited for what lay in store. "Very exciting moment today," he said in the video. "Going to be on the ocean for thousands of miles. This is my first taste of it and I'm very excited about it." 

Richard would have turned 43 on May 19, and a member of the city council in Bandon City was already putting together a little party to help him celebrate since he knew he was coming that way. 

Following the accident, one of his sons wrote on his father's page that he would one day continue Richard's journey in his name.