(Photo credit: Chuck Norris Facebook)
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Chuck Norris is so beloved, treasured and adored that the actor and martial arts expert has internet memes, Twitter handles and fan clubs dedicated to honoring his very existence.
According to the hugely popular and always creative Chuck Norris Facts website:
"The Bermuda Triangle used to be the Bermuda Square until Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked one of the corners off.'"
Another entry promises, "Chuck Norris can believe it's not butter.'"
And of course, "Chuck Norris knows the last digit of pi."
There are clever memes picturing Norris.
MORE: Chuck Norris and NASCAR -- all the memes you need
"When Chuck Norris does push-ups, he doesn't push himself up, he pushes the earth down," says one.
"When Google has a question, they Norris it," suggests another.
The popularity and fondness bestowed on Norris is much appreciated by the actor, who lives near Houston and will be trackside Sunday to introduce the eight Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers prior to the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway.
It will truly be a mutual appreciation between NASCAR’s biggest stars and one of America's most treasured celebrities.
"I'm looking forward to introducing the drivers and being with the NASCAR fans, plus I haven't seen (track president) Eddie Gossage and (Speedway Motorsports Chairman) Bruton Smith in years so this will be a great opportunity to get re-acquainted," Norris said.
"I used to go out to the track often when I lived in Dallas filming the Walker, Texas Ranger series. The Norrises just love speed. I used to race off-road and then I did the powerboat racing for a few years. We're into all this racing stuff."
Gossage thought it was the ultimate "natural" idea to invite Norris to introduce the Chase drivers prior to Sunday's race.
"The thinking was, introducing the eight baddest drivers because they're still in the Chase you need the baddest man on the planet," Gossage said. "And with all the internet facts and memes it was obvious that has to be Chuck Norris. The fact he's a friend and a Texan and been here a number of times, that’s an easy one to put together."
For all of his work on television, in movies and as one of the most accomplished American martial arts experts, the 76-year old Norris is still genuinely amazed at the warm reception he receives everywhere he goes. And he has a good sense of humor about the cult-like following that has developed worldwide with the memes and fan clubs.
"It’s interesting," Norris allowed with a laugh. "These Chuck Norris facts have reconnected me with the young people again. There’s a young college kid that sent me the first three Chuck Norris facts and I read them.
"The first one I ever read was: 'They wanted to put Chuck Norris on Mount Rushmore but the granite wasn't tough enough.' It's been 10 years since I saw that one."
"And," he recalled, "I did two tours in Iraq to shake hands with the troops and I did that with over 40,000 soldiers because they were bugging their commanders to shake my hand after hearing these Chuck Norris facts.
"Every time one of them came over to shake my hand, he'd tell me a Chuck Norris fact. And then I'd go to the commode and Chuck Norris facts were written on the wall. I thought, 'I can't get away from these things.'"
Nor does he really want to.
His popularity and decades long work in his first love, martial arts, along with his well-received work in television shows like the long-running Walker, Texas Ranger and movies such as Delta Force and Missing in Action make Norris one of the most recognizable faces in the world.
And he is using that support and following to continue his great work with the KickStart Kids Foundation he formed in 1992. The program is truly the heart of his commitment to giving back. He and his wife Gena chair the foundation, which has worked with at-risk children and proudly helped graduate over 85,000 since the organization began.
For the next week the Norries are selling "Chuck Yeah" t-shirts at represent.com/chuckyeah to raise money for their KickStart Foundation.
"I'm a huge NASCAR fan and my son Eric has been driving in NASCAR for years, so we thought this would be a great opportunity," Norris said.
"This race gives me the opportunity to help our fundraiser for the Kick Start program. Most of these kids have gone on to college and been successful in their own right."
So for this weekend, Norrises intensity comes with a wide smile and proud heart.
"I just love going out there and meeting these drivers," Norris said. "They are just down-to-earth guys and they have great values. Those are the kind of guys I like to be around."
And it's definitely a mutual feeling.