LAFAYETTE, La. A Louisiana man with the world’s largest thumb remained stranded beside Interstate 10 Thursday after six days of attempting to hitchhike to the International Arthur Fonzarelli Impersonator Convention in Las Vegas.
Daryl “Big Thumb” Thibodeaux, 46, said his 38-inch thumb should make him the most effective hitchhiker in history. Instead, it has left motorists confused and occasionally frightened.
“People definitely see the thumb,” Thibodeaux said. “What they don’t seem to see is the man attached to it.”
Drivers have reportedly mistaken the enormous digit for a billboard, construction equipment, and an official state sign approving of the next exit. Several motorists simply gave Thibodeaux a thumbs-up before continuing west.
“At first, I thought he was showing support for America,” motorist Sheila Perkins said. “Once I realized he needed a ride, I honked to show support for that too.”
Thibodeaux hopes to enter the convention’s “Most Convincing Fonzie Gesture” competition. He packed a leather jacket, two white T-shirts, a comb, and 17 photographs of Henry Winkler for the journey.
Convention organizers confirmed that Thibodeaux remains the favorite in the thumb category, though they expressed doubts about the rest of his performance.
“He has the thumb, but he lacks the essence of Fonzie,” organizer Leonard Capps said. “The Fonz was cool. This man has been openly weeping beside a Love’s Travel Stop since Tuesday.”
When informed that I-10 does not go directly to Las Vegas, Thibodeaux said he plans to “take a left at Arizona.”
As darkness fell Thursday, he remained beside the interstate with his thumb raised, accidentally directing four vehicles onto the shoulder.
